Önleme

Önleme is the Turkish term for prevention, derived from the verb önlemek, meaning to prevent. In public health and safety contexts, önleme encompasses activities and policies designed to stop diseases, injuries, and other adverse outcomes before they occur or before they worsen. It is a central concept in health planning and risk management, complementing treatment and response efforts.

In public health, önleme is commonly categorized into three levels. Primary prevention aims to reduce the incidence of disease and injury by addressing risk factors (for example, vaccination, healthy lifestyle promotion, sanitation, and environmental controls). Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and intervention to prevent progression (for instance, screening programs and regular health checks). Tertiary prevention seeks to minimize the damage and disability once a condition is established (such as rehabilitation and chronic disease management).

Practices of önleme span health, safety, and environmental policy. Examples include immunization programs to curb infectious diseases, hygiene and sanitation interventions, tobacco and alcohol control, safety regulations in workplaces and transport, and disaster risk reduction measures. Effective önleme relies on surveillance, risk communication, and intersectoral coordination across health, education, transportation, and housing sectors.

Measurement of önlemenin impact uses indicators like incidence and mortality rates, prevalence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted, and cost-effectiveness analyses. Challenges include resource limitations, health disparities, cultural factors, and misinformation, all of which can hinder adoption of preventive interventions. In policy discussions, önleme is often prioritized to improve population health, reduce long-term costs, and enhance resilience.