Levels of Prevention (Video)

Levels

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

Health is a continuum

Typical disease diagnosis

Primary prevention

before evidence of disease or injury

want to reduce or eliminate causative risk factors

healthy and well population

Examples

• exercise and healthy eating/obesity

• fluoridation/caries

• education about healthy and safe habits

Secondary prevention

done after a disease has begun, but before symptomatic

want early identification and treatment

people at risk of health problem or asymptomatic

includes:

• routine treatment/methods to terminate disease process and/or restore tissues to as nearly normal as possible

• screenings for at risk

• control of risk factors

• early intervention

Examples:

• resetting broken bone so it health correctly

• fluoride to remineralize

• mammograms

• daily low dose aspirin to prevent further heart attacks

Tertiary prevention

done after disease and injury is present

want to prevent sequelae

people with a health problem

includes:

• replace lost tissues via rehabilitation

• prevent complications

• improve quality of life

examples:

• help obese peeps to lose weight

• dental materials

• rehabilitation programs

• support groups

Comparison

Key Takeaways