What is primary prevention focused on?

Primary prevention is focused on preventing injuries or illnesses from occurring altogether. This approach aims to address risk factors and promote overall health, often through education, vaccination, lifestyle changes, and the implementation of safety measures. By intervening before any health issues arise, primary prevention can significantly reduce the incidence of diseases and injuries, ultimately leading to healthier populations.

This strategy contrasts with other forms of prevention, such as secondary prevention, which involves detecting and addressing health issues at an early stage, and tertiary prevention, which aims to mitigate the effects of existing diseases and improve the quality of life for individuals with chronic health conditions. Therefore, the emphasis on stopping health problems before they begin solidifies primary prevention's critical role in public health.