What type of health prevention activity is a community youth center in an area with gang violence an example of?

A community youth center in an area with gang violence exemplifies primary prevention because it aims to prevent the occurrence of issues before they arise. Primary prevention activities are designed to reduce the risk factors associated with violence, delinquency, and other negative outcomes among youth. By providing a safe space for young individuals, the center offers resources, activities, and support that can help divert them from gang involvement and promote healthy development.

These types of interventions focus on creating environments that support positive social interactions and provide opportunities for constructive engagement, thereby helping to mitigate potential risks. In contrast, secondary prevention would involve activities aimed at identifying and addressing problems that have already begun to surface, while tertiary prevention focuses on managing and minimizing the impact of established issues or health problems. Health education, while a key component of public health, may not encompass the broader community-focused strategies seen in youth centers aimed at prevention. Thus, the community youth center's mission to avert gang involvement categorizes it firmly within primary prevention efforts.