This article provides an overview for this special issue on prevention scie
nce in clinical psychology. A brief historical perspective on prevention in
clinical psychology is presented. An even greater emphasis on prevention i
n the future is related to changes in the current healthcare system and the
ir likely impact on psychological practice as we move into the next century
. Conceptual and theoretical models of the prevention enterprise are addres
sed with a distinction drawn between health promotion and disease preventio
n in the areas of mental disorders and general physical health. The classif
ication of preventive interventions is discussed and methodological challen
ges to outcomes research are outlined. The article concludes with a discuss
ion of training and public policy implications and a brief overview of the
other articles included in this special issue on prevention science. (C) 19
99 Elsevier Science Ltd.