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A health system is defined as all the organizations, institutions, and resources whose primary purpose is to improve health.
- Includes:
- Health system personnel
- Funds
- Information
- Supplies
- Resources
- Communications
- Guidance
- Direction
Health systems must provide responsive, financially fair, and equitable services.

The public health system: It is a multiscale complex system.
In the United States, it encompasses all public, private, and voluntary entities that contribute to public health activities at local, state, and federal levels.
All organizations involved work towards improving public health and delivering essential public health services.

Goldsteen, R., Goldsteen, K., Dwelle, T. (2015). Introduction to Public Health: Promises and Practices (2nd Edition). New York: Springer Publishing Co.

Source: Public Health Practice Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Public Health Performance Standards Program, User Guide (1st edition, 2002).
Current version available at CDC

Definition: Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of specific diseases by reducing risks.
- Strategies include:
- Changing behaviors or exposures that might lead to diseases
- Enhancing resistance to disease effects.
- Examples:
- Smoking cessation programs
- Vaccinations
Goal: Reduce disease incidence by addressing risk factors and promoting healthy behaviors, improving host resistance, and fostering safe environments that minimize disease risks.

Definition: Secondary prevention involves procedures to detect and identify pre-clinical pathological changes, ultimately aiming to control the progression of diseases.
- Examples of methods:
- Screening procedures like mammography to identify early-stage breast cancer.
- Routine blood sugar testing for individuals over 40 to detect early diabetes.
- Screening can be conducted:
- During individual doctor-patient visits
- Via public health screening programs (e.g., community mammography screening).

Definition: Tertiary prevention is focused on alleviating the impact of the disease after it is clinically diagnosed, aiming to enhance the quality of life.
- Examples:
- Behavioral modifications for a cardiac patient, such as encouraging weight loss.
- Environmental modifications for asthmatic patients to reduce allergen exposure.
- For irreversible conditions, it focuses on rehabilitation and assisting patients to cope with disabilities.
- The critical goal is to optimize the quality of life for affected individuals.

Primary Prevention:
- Measures: Vaccinations, altering risky behaviors, banning harmful substances.
Secondary Prevention:
- Measures: Early disease screening, such as mammography and blood pressure testing.
Tertiary Prevention:
- Measures: Managing disease post-diagnosis, like chemotherapy and rehabilitation programs.

Examples of Prevention Types:
- Dietary counseling for individuals at risk falls under Secondary prevention.
- Prearranged colonoscopy screening programs represent Secondary prevention as they identify potential issues before symptoms arise.

Health education can significantly enhance preventive care across all levels:
- Primary Level: Educate on healthy practices, e.g., balanced diet to avoid diseases.
- Secondary Level: Encourage community screenings at health centers.
- Tertiary Level: Advise on appropriate medication adherence and rehabilitation processes.

Select a health condition (e.g., a cancer type or chronic disease).
Create an infographic illustrating examples at each prevention level (primary, secondary, tertiary) associated with the chosen condition.
Include at least one or two reference citations in APA format.
Completion results in 20 points for timely submission.
Review the rubric for grading criteria.