Ace the 2025 Certified Prevention Specialist CPS Exam – Become a Prevention Pro!

The prevention strategy of environmental approaches aims to establish or change community standards to create a healthier and safer environment for all. This strategy focuses on modifying the social and physical environments in which people live, work, and play. By implementing changes at the community level—such as policy development, regulation, or community norms—this approach can effectively reduce the availability and promote disapproval of high-risk behaviors, such as substance use.

Changing community standards can include measures like creating smoke-free areas, reducing the density of liquor stores, or implementing curfews for minors. These community-wide initiatives help shape the behavior of individuals by transforming the overall context in which decisions are made, ultimately promoting healthier lifestyles. This approach recognizes that individual choices are heavily influenced by the environment, and thus seeks to modify that environment to support positive behavior change.