Prevention of disease and promotion of global health: Integration of clinical and public health approaches

This paper focuses on the extent to which psychological research and theories are relevant to the challenge of promoting health and preventing disease at a population level. We present an overview of the major health problems confronting developed and developing countries today; the contribution that social and behavioural factors make to many of these health problems; the differences and similarities between a focus on individuals versus a focus on the population; a brief description of the way some theories developed in psychology may be applied to broader, large scale interventions; and an outline of a framework for reviewing the contribution of scientific research to these health challenges. The importance of dissemination and diffusion of interventions to their ultimate inclusion in policy change is also discussed.