Prevenciós

Prevenciós denotes the set of actions and policies aimed at preventing harm before it occurs. In health, safety, and risk management, prevenciós focuses on reducing the likelihood of disease, injury, or other adverse outcomes. The term derives from Latin praevenire and is used in several European languages to describe preventive activities.

In public health, prevention is commonly organized into three levels. Primary prevention aims to prevent the disease or harm from arising (for example, vaccination, health education, and policy measures that reduce risk exposure). Secondary prevention involves early detection and prompt intervention to halt progression (screening programs, regular checkups). Tertiary prevention seeks to reduce the impact of an established condition (rehabilitation, disability management).

Prevenciós spans many sectors beyond medicine, including environmental design, occupational safety, and disaster risk reduction. Examples include immunization campaigns, tobacco control, traffic safety laws, clean water and sanitation, workplace safety training, and access to cancer or chronic disease screenings.

Effective prevenciós requires policy support, adequate funding, cross‑sector collaboration, and community engagement. Outcomes are assessed with indicators such as incidence and mortality rates, risk factor prevalence, screening uptake, and program coverage. Common challenges include limited resources, health inequities, misinformation, and balancing individual freedoms with population health goals.

See also: preventive medicine, public health, health promotion.