Levels of Prevention

1. LEVELS OF
PREVENTION

2. Primary Level of Prevention
◦ Directed toward the healthy population focusing on:
◦ Primordial Prevention – prevention of emergence of risk factors
◦ Specific Protection – removal of risk factors or reduction of their
levels
◦ In communicable disease prevention, activities are targeted at
intervening before the agent enters the host

3. Health Promotion
• Health education
• Nutrition counseling
• Adequate housing
• Personal hygiene
• Environmental sanitation
• Family Planning
• Dental hygiene

4. Specific Protection
• Immunization
• Chemoprophylaxis
• Protection against injuries and occupational hazards

5. Secondary Level of Prevention
• Promptly diagnose and treat disease
• Prevent the spread of disease to a healthy population
• Prevent complications and sequelae
• Shorten period of disability

6. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment
• Screening
• Case-finding
• Selective examination

7. Tertiary Level of Prevention
• Arrest disease process to prevent further complications and sequelae
• Limit disability
• Prevent death