Secondary prevention may include screening programs, such as mammography to screen for breast cancer and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to screen for osteoporosis. It may also involve tracing the sexual partners of a person diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (contact tracing) and treating these individuals, if necessary, to minimize the spread of the disease. Vaccines to prevent infectious diseases, such as the flu. Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary heart disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide.
Below is an example of each level of prevention related to heart disease. Can you think of more examples for each level? Secondary prevention is achieved through early intervention, including early detection and early treatment. These interventions can occur at any stage of life, from infancy to old age. The distinguishing feature of secondary prevention is that intervention occurs once the eating disorder has started.
Secondary prevention targets people who have developed an asymptomatic disease and institutes treatment to prevent complications. Examples include routine pap smears and screening for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or hyperlipidemia. For example, tertiary prevention for people with diabetes focuses on blood sugar control, excellent skin care, frequent foot examination, and frequent exercise to prevent heart and blood vessel diseases.
