In medicine,
prevention is any activity which reduces the burden of mortality or
morbidity from
disease. This takes place at primary, secondary and tertiary prevention
levels.
Primary prevention avoids the development of a disease. Most population-based
health promotion activities are primary preventive measures.
Secondary prevention activities are aimed at early disease detection, thereby
increasing opportunities for interventions to prevent progression of the disease
and emergence of symptoms.
Tertiary prevention reduces the negative impact of an already established
disease by restoring function and reducing disease-related complications.
