The prevention of child maltreatment is often described in terms of layers--primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Such maltreatment is a major public health problem, given its incidence and prevalence in the general population, and principles underlying the prevention of maltreatment encompass both social and personal factors that increase the risk of abuse in parent-child relationships. Goals of a comprehensive strategy to prevent child maltreatment should include increasing parental knowledge of child development and the demands of parenting, enhancing parent-child bonding and communication, increasing parental skills in coping with the stresses of infant and child care, reducing family isolation, and reducing the long-term consequences of poor parenting. In addition, prevention should focus on increasing the access of parents and families to social health services, substance abuse treatment, jobs, adequate housing, and safe neighborhoods. Ways of preventing different forms of child maltreatment and tailoring prevention approaches for different population groups are examined. 39 references