What is secondary prevention?

What is secondary prevention?

• A. Early diagnosis, prompt treatment, disability limitation
• B. Health promotion and specific protection
• C. Rest and rehabilitation
• D. Vaccination

Answer: (A)

Secondary prevention is about detecting disease early and treating it promptly to prevent progression and disability. It sits after primary prevention (which aims to prevent disease from occurring) and before tertiary prevention (which focuses on reducing damage once disease is established). Examples include screening to catch disease early and initiating timely treatment to limit complications. The description of early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and disability limitation aligns with this approach, which is why it’s the best fit. The other options reflect strategies aimed at preventing disease from occurring or at restoring function after disease has developed.

Secondary prevention is about detecting disease early and treating it promptly to prevent progression and disability. It sits after primary prevention (which aims to prevent disease from occurring) and before tertiary prevention (which focuses on reducing damage once disease is established). Examples include screening to catch disease early and initiating timely treatment to limit complications. The description of early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and disability limitation aligns with this approach, which is why it’s the best fit. The other options reflect strategies aimed at preventing disease from occurring or at restoring function after disease has developed.