What does secondary prevention focus on in community health?

Secondary prevention in community health is centered on the early detection and treatment of diseases. This approach aims to identify health issues at an early stage, allowing for timely intervention that can halt the progression of the disease or conditions and prevent complications. Activities associated with secondary prevention include screening programs, regular health check-ups, and prompt treatment of identified health issues. By focusing on early detection, secondary prevention plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes and reducing the overall burden of diseases within the community.

Preventive measures can have different classifications, such as primary prevention, which targets risk factors to prevent diseases before they occur, and tertiary prevention, which focuses on rehabilitation and management of established diseases. Therefore, secondary prevention's emphasis on early detection aligns with its goal of addressing issues as they arise, rather than waiting for them to escalate.