From the Guidelines
The 5 levels of disease prevention are primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, and primordial prevention, which work together to promote overall public health and wellbeing by addressing disease at different stages and from multiple angles. These levels of prevention are crucial in reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life.
- Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs through measures like vaccinations, health education, and lifestyle modifications, as outlined in the policy statement from the American Heart Association 1.
- Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and intervention through screening tests and regular check-ups to identify diseases before symptoms appear, which is particularly important for individuals at high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases 2.
- Tertiary prevention involves managing established disease to minimize complications and improve quality of life through rehabilitation and treatment adherence.
- Quaternary prevention protects patients from unnecessary medical interventions that may cause harm.
- Primordial prevention addresses the root social and environmental factors that contribute to disease development, such as improving air quality or reducing poverty, which is a key aspect of preventing cardiovascular disease 1. The European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice also emphasize the importance of directing preventive efforts at those at highest risk, including patients with established coronary heart disease and asymptomatic individuals with multiple risk factors 2. Overall, understanding and implementing these 5 levels of disease prevention is essential for promoting public health and wellbeing, and reducing the burden of disease on individuals and society.
From the Research
Levels of Disease Prevention
The levels of disease prevention are typically categorized into five main levels:
- Primordial prevention: This level aims to prevent the development of risk factors in the first place, thereby reducing the likelihood of disease occurrence 3.
- Primary prevention: This level focuses on preventing the disease from occurring in the first place, often through lifestyle interventions such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation 4, 5.
- Secondary prevention: This level involves early detection and treatment of disease, often through screening programs, to prevent the progression of the disease 4, 6.
- Tertiary prevention: This level aims to reduce the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects, often through rehabilitation and management of complications 7.
- Quaternary prevention: This level involves preventing or mitigating the consequences of unnecessary or excessive interventions within the healthcare system, often through careful consideration of treatment options and avoidance of over-medicalization 7.
Key Strategies for Prevention
Some key strategies for prevention include:
- Lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 4, 5.
- Screening programs to detect disease early and prevent progression 4, 6.
- Management of risk factors, such as hypertension and high cholesterol, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 3, 7.
- Aspirin therapy to prevent cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer 5.