peruspreventio

Peruspreventio is a framework used in public health to describe foundational, population-level measures intended to prevent the onset of disease and injury before they occur. It emphasizes actions that reduce risk factors across communities rather than focusing solely on treating illness after it arises.

It encompasses a range of strategies, including health education and risk communication, vaccination programs, nutrition and physical activity promotion, safety and environmental modifications, and policy actions aimed at reducing exposure to risk factors. A key principle is equity: interventions should be accessible to all segments of the population and mindful of social determinants of health.

The term is used in Nordic public health discourse and is associated with the Finnish word perus meaning basic. Peruspreventio is typically contrasted with secondary prevention (early disease detection) and tertiary prevention (minimizing complications). In practice, programs may integrate all levels but place primary prevention at the forefront.

Implementation often occurs through collaborations among health services, schools, workplaces, local governments, and community organizations. Examples include school-based curricula on healthy lifestyles, community vaccination campaigns, and urban planning that promotes safe active transport. Evaluation focuses on reductions in disease incidence, risk-factor prevalence, and health disparities, as well as cost-effectiveness.

Critics argue that broad, population-wide strategies can require sustained investment and may yield gradual returns, making them difficult to evaluate in the short term. Effective peruspreventio relies on robust data, targeted attention to high-risk groups, and integration with treatment services to avoid neglecting people who need care.

Related concepts include primary prevention, health promotion, and public health policy.