Prevention is a significant component of epidemiology and entails interventions

Question

Prevention is a significant component of epidemiology and entails interventions that reduce the risk of disease or certain levels of threats to health. The further "upstream" the prevention is located, the more people the intervention can help. In order to help explain the difference let us take this example based on a real situation.

Let's say you are the mayor of Flint, Michigan which gets its drinking water from the Flint River. One summer, you learn that children are developing neurological problems after drinking the water due to chemical irritants like lead and mercury in the river. You decide to take action. You learn that the GM factory located "upstream" is dumping waste that contains lead and arsenic and take action by talking to the CEO of GM. Metaphorically speaking; this is an example of primary prevention.

In this discussion provide at least one example of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention for a condition you will focus on

Explanation / Answer

Based on the situation given above:

A) Primary prevention: would include measures that help eradicate the problem itself. The talk with the CEO of GM is one of such ways. Similarly, I'd track down the source of excessive mercury in the river.

B) Secondary prevention: I'd focus on providing the residents with purified water, one that is free from the chemical irritants described. Also, I'd try to restrict the direct usage from the river itself until a stable solution is reached.

C) Tertiary prevention: focus on the health of the children, adults, and weak/diseased people. Propagating the idea of the how chemical irritants are the cause behind such problems and ways to counter them.

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