“…prevention is an activity which reduces the burden of mortality or morbidity from disease.”
Leavell & Clark’s development and prevention of disease

Leavell and Clark proposed the use of their  model against any disease, based on health prevention.

levelsofprevention1-1 copy

Primary Prevention

  • Seeks to prevent a disease or condition at a prepathologic state; to stop something from ever happening.

       Health Promotion

  • health education
  • marriage counseling
  • genetic screening
  • good standard of nutrition adjusted to developmental phase of life

        Specific Protection

  • use of specific immunization
  • attention to personal hygiene
  • use of environmental sanitation
  • protection against occupational hazards
  • protection from accidents
  • use of specific nutrients
  • protections from carcinogens
  • avoidance to allergens

Secondary Prevention

  • Also known as “Health Maintenance”. Seeks to identify specific illnesses or conditions at an early stage with prompt intervention to prevent or limit disability; to prevent catastrophic effects that could occur if proper attention and treatment are not provided.

       Early Diagnosis and Prompt Treatment

  • case finding measures
  • individual and mass screening survey
  • prevent spread of communicable disease
  • prevent complication and sequelae
  • shorten period of disability

       Disability Limitations

  • Adequate treatment to arrest disease process and prevent further complication and sequelae.
  • Provision of facilities to limit disability and prevent death.

Tertiary Prevention

  • Occurs after a disease or disability has occurred and the recovery process has begun; Intent is to halt the disease or injury process and assist the person in obtaining an optimal health status. To establish a high-level wellness. “To maximize use of remaining capacities’

       Restoration and Rehabilitation

  • Work therapy in hospital
  • Use of shelter colony

References

“Leavell and Clark’s Three Levels of Prevention – RNpedia.com.” Leavell and Clark’s Three Levels of Prevention – RNpedia.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

http://www.rnpedia.com/home/notes/fundamentals-of-nursing-notes/leavell-and-clark-s-three-levels-of-prevention

“UNKLAB NURSING PORTAL.” UNKLAB NURSING PORTAL. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

http://perawatunklab.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/leavell-and-clarks-three-levels-of-prevention/