Forebyggelige

Forebyggelige is a Norwegian adjective used to describe conditions, events, or outcomes that can be prevented through preventive measures. The term is derived from the verb forebygge (to prevent) with the suffix -lig, forming forebyggelig, and its inflected plural form forebyggelige when describing plural nouns.

In public health and safety contexts, forebyggelige is commonly used to classify incidents or outcomes that are avoidable with appropriate actions. Common collocations include forebyggelige dødsfall (preventable deaths), forebyggelige skader (preventable injuries), and forebyggelige sykdommer (preventable diseases). The concept underpins policy debates about vaccination, hygiene, road safety, workplace safety, and lifestyle interventions, as well as broader social determinants of health.

A key aspect of the term is that it highlights the potential for risk reduction, not guarantees. Many forebyggelige outcomes depend on timely, effective, and accessible interventions, and the degree of preventability can vary by context, resources, and equity considerations. Some conditions are only partly preventable, and residual risk may remain even with comprehensive preventive measures. Ethical and economic factors often influence decisions about which preventive strategies to prioritize.

The term is commonly contrasted with non-forebyggelige outcomes—those believed to be unavoidable given current knowledge or circumstances. Forebyggelige is thus a central concept in discussions about public health planning, policy evaluation, and mass communication about risk and prevention. See also forebygging and forebyggende tiltak.