What it means
The first of three levels of prevention. Primary prevention acts before any disease exists, through vaccines, healthy eating, exercise, not smoking, seat belts, car seats, helmets and safe-sex teaching. Secondary prevention finds disease early, through screening tests such as mammograms, and tertiary prevention limits the harm from a disease that is already present, such as rehabilitation after a stroke.
For the nurse
On the exam, sort an action by timing: before disease (primary), finding it early (secondary) or living with it (tertiary).
Remember it
Primary prevents, secondary screens, tertiary treats.
Related terms
vaccine
A product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.
health promotion
Helping people take actions that keep them well and improve their health.
social support
The help and comfort a person gets from family, friends, community and groups.