A prevention strategy aimed at informing broad segments of society is called a:

A prevention strategy aimed at informing broad segments of society is classified as a universal intervention. Universal interventions are designed to reach an entire population or a large segment of it, regardless of individual risk factors. The goal of such interventions is to promote healthy behaviors and prevent substance abuse across diverse groups within a community, thereby addressing the issue at a societal level.

This approach is effective in raising awareness, providing education, and fostering community-wide changes to reduce the risk of substance use. Universal interventions can include mass media campaigns, community events, and school-based programs that target everyone rather than specific individuals or high-risk groups.

Other strategies, such as selective interventions, target specific subgroups known to be at greater risk, while indicated interventions focus on individuals who are already exhibiting early signs of substance use. The risk and protective approach emphasizes both the factors that increase the likelihood of substance use and those that can help protect against it. However, universal interventions stand out because they seek to engage the entire community, making them a foundational aspect of public health efforts in prevention.