What is the primary purpose of primary prevention in public health?

• A. Detect disease early to reduce severity or complications
• B. Prevent disease before it occurs
• C. Cure disease once diagnosed
• D. Manage symptoms after disease

Answer: (B)

The main idea is preventing disease before it occurs by reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors in people and communities. Primary prevention aims to lower the incidence of disease, not just its severity or outcomes after it develops. Examples include vaccination, clean water and sanitation, safe food handling, promoting healthy lifestyles (balanced diet, physical activity, avoiding smoking), and protective measures like helmet use. These actions stop disease from starting. By contrast, detecting disease early to reduce severity, curing disease, or managing symptoms after diagnosis are forms of prevention or care that occur after disease has begun (secondary and tertiary prevention or treatment).