The Concept of Prevention
Prevention in medicine is categorized into stages based on the Natural History of Disease, aiming to intervene at various points to minimize health impact.
The Three Levels
| Level | Goal | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Prevent onset | Vaccination, health education, lifestyle modification. |
| Secondary | Early detection | Screening tests (e.g., Pap smear, mammography). |
| Tertiary | Reduce disability | Physical therapy, rehabilitation, post-stroke support. |
High-Yield Clinical Notes:
- Primordial Prevention: A newer concept focused on preventing the emergence of risk factors in the first place (e.g., national tobacco control policies).
- Strategic Shift: Moving from tertiary (reactive) to primary/primordial (proactive) is the cornerstone of effective public health.