HEALTH | 1 min. read

Oz of PREVENTION > Lb of CURE

(An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure)

Dr. Marjorie Anne Sierra of Smart Start Session

By Dr. Marjorie Anne Sierra | Updated on April 03, 2024, 08:06am

Opinions expressed by Smart Start Session's contributors are their own.

We all know the saying Prevention is better than Cure. Stopping something from happening and/or avoiding it altogether is more beneficial and economical than dealing with the consequent problems.

Preventive healthcare focuses on the prevention of illnesses to decrease the burden of diseases through the different levels of prevention: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Levels of Prevention.

Primary Prevention: Steps or measures to prevent yourself from getting the disease

1. Eating a well-balanced diet

2. Staying away from smoking

3. Exercising regularly

4. Avoiding too much alcohol

5. Getting vaccination against preventable infectious diseases

Secondary Prevention: Steps or measures to detect a disease early and prevent it from getting worse

1. Regular examinations and screenings (breast self-examination, mammography, high blood pressure screening, etc)

2. Lifestyle modifications

3. Medical interventions

Tertiary Prevention: Steps or measures to improve your quality of life and reduce the symptoms of a disease you already have

1. Rehabilitation programs