Preventive Medicine
What is preventive medicine in healthcare?
Preventive medicine is a branch of medicine focused on preventing disease and preparing for health emergencies. It includes a wide range of activities, from immunizations and screenings to lifestyle changes and risk reduction. Preventive medicine aims to keep people healthy and reduce their risk of developing diseases and health problems.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to preventive medicine, some general principles can apply to everyone. For example, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco use can help prevent many chronic diseases.
Why is preventive medicine important in healthcare?
Preventative medicine is a key component of the healthcare process. It involves taking steps to avoid illnesses and injuries or catching them early when they are most easily treatable. Immunizations can help protect against serious and sometimes deadly diseases, such as measles, chickenpox, and flu. Screenings can detect diseases early, when they may be more easily treated.
For example, screening for colon cancer can often find polyps—abnormal growths in the colon that may become cancerous—so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Other preventive measures include wearing seat belts to protect against injuries in a car accident, using sunscreen to reduce the risk of skin cancer, and quitting smoking to reduce the risk of lung cancer. Taking these steps can help people live longer, healthier lives.