Traditional medical care focuses on improving health by identifying and treating health problems that have already produced symptoms or complications. In contrast, preventive medical care focuses on preventing health problems from occurring. Preventive care also focuses on diagnosing problems before symptoms or complications develop, when the chances of recovery are greatest. When done well, prevention improves overall health and reduces health care costs.
The general goal of prevention is to reduce a person’s likelihood of becoming ill or disabled or of dying prematurely. Preventive medical care is not a case of “one size fits all.” Specific goals are developed by and for each person. Specific goals depend heavily on a person’s risk profile—that is, the person’s risk of developing a disease based on such factors as age, sex, genetic background, lifestyle, and physical and social environment. Factors that increase risk are called risk factors.
Examples of Risk Factors for Health Problems
Category | Risk Factors |
|---|---|
Eating an unbalanced, unhealthy diet | |
A genetic makeup that makes a person more likely to develop a specific disease, such as heart disease, colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, diabetes, mental health disorders, or substance abuse disorder | |
Stressful situations such as
| |
Sedentary lifestyle (not getting enough exercise) | |
Physical environment | Inability to maintain a safe environment, for example, by the following:
|
Race and sex | Men: Higher risk of heart attack than women Black men and women: Higher risk of high blood pressure than white men and women |
Social environment | Neighborhood violence Family violence High-risk sexual behavior (such as having several partners or not using condoms) Difficulty getting along with others Structural racism |
Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes Chewing tobacco Using illicit drugs Misusing alcohol or prescription medications | |
Not having received all recommended vaccinations | |
Weight that is above what is recommended for height and sex, particularly by 20% or more | |
Work environment | Working with potential toxins (for example, asbestos or ionizing radiation), machinery, power tools, farm equipment, or other possibly dangerous objects |
Some risk factors are beyond a person’s control, such as age, sex, and family history. Other risk factors, such as a person’s lifestyle and physical and social environment, can be altered, potentially decreasing risk of developing disorders. In addition, risk can be reduced through good medical care.
Most of the medical care that infants, older children, and adolescents receive (specifically well-child care) is aimed at recognizing risk factors and preventing problems. For example, examination focuses on detecting early signs of developing problems. Routine health care also includes a review of the child's immunization record and administration of recommended vaccines. Health care professionals also counsel parents about preventing accidents and injuries in children and adolescents.
More Information
The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Published Recommendations: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force publishes recommendations about the effectiveness of various screening tests and preventive strategies for specific conditions. These recommendations are based on a systematic review of the evidence.
