Adaptation: modifications to content, format, or mode of delivery to an EBI in response to the needs and preferences of the target population or characteristics of the intervention setting to maintain or improve an EBI’s effectiveness.

Researcher-led adaptation: adaptation by researchers or originators of the EBI.

Ad hoc adaptation: adaptation by practitioners during intervention implementation or delivery.

Planned adaptation: adaptation by practitioners before intervention implementation.

Evidence-based interventions: tested prevention and treatment interventions, also identified as evidence-based practices, empirically supported treatments, and empirically validated treatments. EBIs address a variety of health conditions and may include singe or multilevel (e.g., individual, group, family, or community level) interventions.

Health disparity populations: socially or economically disadvantaged populations that have a demonstrated pattern of poorer health outcomes than do more advantaged populations. National Institutes of Health–designated health disparity populations include Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, underserved rural populations, and sexual or gender minorities.1

Practitioners: organizations or agencies that deliver EBIs, including health care systems, public health departments, social service agencies, criminal justice systems, schools, community-based organizations, and other service settings.

Science of intervention adaptation: the systematic examination through empirical observation or experimental manipulation of how adaptations to EBIs are originated and implemented, including evaluation of the efficacy and sustainability of the adapted EBI. Historically, the science of intervention adaptation has emphasized randomized controlled trials of adapted EBIs.2

Note. EBI = evidence-based intervention.