Which type of intervention is focused on preventive measures in social work?

The focus of primary prevention in social work is on addressing potential issues before they develop into more significant problems. This approach emphasizes the importance of creating environments and conditions that promote well-being and reduce the risk factors associated with various social issues, such as poverty, homelessness, and mental health crises.

Primary prevention aims to educate communities, implement programs, and foster societal changes that can prevent the onset of difficulties. For instance, efforts to enhance family functioning, provide educational resources, and promote health awareness are all examples of primary preventive measures.

In contrast, secondary prevention generally addresses challenges that have already begun but are not yet severe, while tertiary prevention focuses on managing and rehabilitating individuals who are already experiencing a problem. Reactive intervention, which is often associated with responding to crises or issues after they occur, does not align with the proactive stance of primary prevention. This is why primary prevention is the correct answer, as it is fundamentally oriented towards preemptively improving conditions to enhance overall health and social welfare.