Prevention, within the context of medicine, refers to proactively averting adverse events before they occur, serving as a counterpart to treatment. Historically, Japan has predominantly emphasized therapeutic medicine, focusing on addressing diseases after their onset. However, with a growing emphasis on cost reduction and fostering healthier lifestyles, attention has shifted toward preventive medicine. Currently, preventive medicine encompasses two main perspectives: (i) prevention of injury and disease occurrence, targeting communities and societies; (ii) prevention of disease exacerbation, focusing on medical settings.

Prevention in medicine can be categorized into three main types. Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of diseases and is further divided into health promotion and specific prevention. Health promotion involves lifestyle enhancements, while specific prevention entails vaccinations, accident prevention, occupational disease management, and pollution control. Secondary prevention involves the early detection and treatment of diseases that are challenging to manage or costly if left untreated, comprising early detection through medical examinations (screenings) and medical checkups, as well as early treatment via clinical interventions. Tertiary prevention involves reintegrating into society following a severe illness, encompassing measures to prevent functional decline, treatment, and rehabilitation. In nursing, activities are conducted across all levels of prevention—primary, secondary, and tertiary—contributing to the nation’s health across these dimensions.

References
  • Glanz, K., Lewis, F. M., & Rimer, B. K. (Eds.). (2006). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, practice (Sone, S., Watabe, H., & Yuasa, M., Trans.). Igaku-Shoin.
  • Rose, G. (1998). Preventive medicine strategies: Lifestyle-related disease countermeasures and health promotion (Soda, K. & Tanaka, H., Trans. Eds.). Igaku-Shoin.
  • Tsuda, K. (2003). Kyoto University popular lecture series health science: Preventive medicine you should know. Maruzen.