Prevention aims to do what?

• A. Aims to minimize the occurrence of disease or its consequences.
• B. Aims to maximize healthcare spending.
• C. Only treats diseases after they occur.
• D. Is limited to emergency response.

Answer: (A)

Prevention in public health means reducing how often disease happens and lessening the harm it can cause. By tackling risk factors, promoting vaccines and healthy environments, and encouraging early detection, prevention lowers both the incidence of illness and its potential severity or consequences. It encompasses all levels of intervention—preventing disease before it starts, catching it early to reduce impact, and minimizing harm once disease is present—rather than just treating after it occurs or focusing only on emergencies. The aim is a proactive, population-wide approach that reduces disease burden, not to increase spending or rely solely on reactive care.