What is the goal of primary prevention?

The goal of primary prevention is to eliminate factors that contribute to disease before it occurs. This approach focuses on preventing the onset of illness by addressing risk factors and implementing measures that can protect individuals and communities from developing health problems.

For instance, primary prevention strategies might include vaccination programs to prevent infectious diseases, public health campaigns promoting healthy lifestyle choices (like diet and exercise), and policies aimed at reducing exposure to environmental hazards. By targeting the root causes of disease, primary prevention seeks to maintain health and prevent the occurrence of diseases altogether, making it a foundational element of public health efforts.

While reducing the severity of disease pertains to secondary prevention (which aims at early intervention to lessen disease impact) and providing healing after illness relates to tertiary prevention (focusing on rehabilitation and management of long-term health issues), primary prevention distinctly aims to forestall the emergence of health issues by removing health risks. Increasing access to healthcare, although essential for overall health improvement, does not directly correspond to the specific aim of preventing disease at its source.