forðun

Forðun is the act of taking steps to prevent or avoid negative outcomes, such as illness, injury, or other harm. In Icelandic, forðun translates to prevention or avoidance and is used across health, safety, and policy discussions. It encompasses actions taken before problems occur to reduce risk.

In public health, forðun is central to strategies that aim to reduce disease burden by stopping problems before they arise (primary prevention), detecting and halting progression in its early stages (secondary), or minimizing damage and disability once a problem exists (tertiary). It also informs safety and environmental design, workplace risk management, and cybersecurity.

Methods include vaccination and lifestyle guidance (primary), screening programs and risk assessment (secondary), early treatment and rehabilitation to prevent complications (tertiary). Other measures are regulatory policies, infrastructure design, safety equipment, education, and community interventions.

Evaluation of forðun programs involves monitoring outcomes, cost-effectiveness, equity, and unintended consequences. Ethical considerations include balancing individual freedom with collective protection and ensuring access to preventive services for all.

In everyday use, forðun emphasizes proactive planning, risk reduction, and resilience against potential hazards, from health care to public safety and environmental stewardship.