Question

A 35-year-old lady comes for a consultation. She is worried since both her parents are on treatment for diabetes. She seeks advice from you in taking care of her health.
What is prevention, what are the types of prevention?

Hint:

Prevention is key to improving public health. Primary prevention is the most cost-effective, but secondary and tertiary prevention also play important roles in reducing disease burden.

Answer 1

Prevention is a broad concept that aims to reduce disease burden. Primary prevention focuses on stopping diseases before they start, secondary prevention emphasizes early detection and intervention, while tertiary prevention aims to manage established diseases and prevent further complications.
Prevention refers to the steps or measures taken to reduce the risk or impact of diseases or conditions before they occur. There are three main types of prevention:

Step 1: Primary Prevention
Primary prevention involves efforts to prevent the onset of disease or injury. This includes measures such as:
- Vaccination
- Healthy lifestyle choices (e.g., regular exercise, balanced diet, quitting smoking)
- Public health policies aimed at reducing risk factors (e.g., promoting healthy eating or clean water).

Step 2: Secondary Prevention
Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and intervention to prevent the progression of a disease. This includes:
- Screening tests (e.g., mammograms, blood pressure measurements, blood sugar tests)
- Early treatment and management to avoid complications (e.g., controlling blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient).

Step 3: Tertiary Prevention
Tertiary prevention involves managing and reducing the impact of a disease or condition that has already occurred, aiming to prevent further complications or disabilities. This includes:
- Rehabilitation programs
- Pain management
- Preventing further deterioration in conditions like stroke, heart disease, or diabetes.