Presents cost estimates for six preventive interventions previously identified through a literature review & analysis of peer-reviewed, published research in mental health or substance abuse services. A report by Dorfman in 2000 yielded a number of well-designed research studies. Twenty-one of those studies supported six preventive interventions that demonstrated patient benefits (i.e., better outcomes) or lower use & cost of medical care. The six are: prenatal & infancy home visits for high-risk mothers; smoking cessation targeted at pregnant women; targeted short-term mental health therapy; health promotion through self-care education; pre-surgical educational intervention with adults; & brief counseling to reduce alcohol use.

A review of the literature on preventive interventions to promote mental health, & on the use of tobacco, alcohol & the misuse of licit & illicit drugs. 54 articles from 1964 to 1999 that demonstrate positive outcomes from preventive substance abuse & mental health interventions are summarized here. The following six preventive services are recommended for consideration by managed care org.: prenatal & infancy home visits; targeted cessation educ. & counseling for smokers, especially those who are pregnant; targeted short-term mental health therapy; self-care educ. for adults; pre-surgical educational intervention with adults; & brief counseling & advice to reduce alcohol use.

This report has been prepared to summarize the most promising preventive interventions of a behavioral nature intended to impact mental and substance use disorders, or in some cases, medical outcomes. This review focuses on prevention interventions that are primarily delivered by health care systems. Interventions provided in schools, worksites, communities, and criminal justice systems were excluded, as were population-based interventions.