Which statement best defines primary prevention?

Which statement best defines primary prevention?

• A. Interventions to avoid disease occurrence, avoid disease entirely before one can occur
• B. Interventions after disease onset
• C. Cure of disease
• D. Palliative care for chronic illness

Answer: (A)

Primary prevention means taking steps before a disease develops to prevent it from occurring. It targets reducing or removing risk factors and exposures so disease never starts. Examples include vaccination, health education to discourage smoking or promote healthy eating and activity, and safety measures to prevent injuries. This differs from approaches used after disease has begun (which aim to detect early or treat the condition) and from curing disease or providing comfort when prognosis is poor. So the best definition is interventions that avoid disease occurrence altogether.

Primary prevention means taking steps before a disease develops to prevent it from occurring. It targets reducing or removing risk factors and exposures so disease never starts. Examples include vaccination, health education to discourage smoking or promote healthy eating and activity, and safety measures to prevent injuries. This differs from approaches used after disease has begun (which aim to detect early or treat the condition) and from curing disease or providing comfort when prognosis is poor. So the best definition is interventions that avoid disease occurrence altogether.