Disease Prevention Strategies

Disease Prevention Strategies

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Disease Prevention Strategies

The primary, secondary, and tertiary strategies employed in the reduction of certain communicable diseases in the society are somewhat similar with the results showing efficacy in integrating various tactics in such efforts. For example, the primary preventing efforts in a sub community include activities aimed at enhancing health through the modification of the existing attitudes and behaviors, which are not part of a healthy lifestyle. Through these approaches, individuals can protect themselves from such communicable diseases as measles. In addition, the secondary level of prevention involves early detection of the disease. Early diagnosis of measles is essential in the attainment of suitable treatments, an element that will reduce chances of the disease spreading to other members of public (Healey, 2004). Furthermore, if such a disease is in the tertiary level of prevention, this indicates the possibility of an outbreak in the area. Accordingly, the health authorities should deal with the situation in order to avoid future outbreaks. At such stages, the involvement of the general populace is crucial especially in the identification of people with the ailment.

Although noncommunicable diseases are not infectious, the effects of the illness affect the family unit and the entire community. For this reason, integrating the various levels of prevention in reducing the prevalence of the disease is vital in order to achieve community development goals. To begin with, the primary level of prevention with reference to diseases such as cancer involves educating the public about the illness and encouraging them to visit clinics for detailed testing. This is because regular screening helps in detecting the disease at its curable stages. Likewise, the secondary stage involves early treatment upon detection of the disease. This is because cancer develops fast although it is treatable if detected in it early stages (World Health Organization, 2012). Additionally, the tertiary level involves the management of the disease through medical and psychological care of the patient. Such actions as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and psychological counseling are part of the remedies offered to patients with the developed stages of cancer.

References

Healey, J. (2004). Communicable diseases. Thirroul, N.S.W: Spinney Press.

World Health Organization. (2012). Noncommunicable diseases. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe.