Behavioral vaccines and evidence-based kernels: nonpharmaceutical approaches for the prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

In the United States the rates for some mental, emotional, and behavioral problems (MEBs) have objectively increased over the past 20 to 50 years. The attributes of a public health approach to the treatment of MEBs are defined in this article. Multiple examples of how public health approaches might reduce or prevent MEBs using low-cost evidence-based kernels, which are fundamental units of behavior, are discussed. Such kernels can be used repeatedly, which then act as "behavioral vaccines" to reduce morbidity or mortality and/or improve human wellbeing. The author calls for 6 key policy actions to improve MEBs in young people.