Which of the following best defines secondary prevention in public health?

Secondary prevention in public health is primarily focused on early detection and intervention to halt the progression of a disease after exposure has occurred. This involves actions taken to identify and treat health issues before they evolve into more serious conditions. The goal is to reduce the severity or prevent complications associated with the disease.

Interventions often include screening programs (like mammograms for breast cancer or blood pressure checks) that help identify diseases at an early stage so that treatment can begin promptly. This proactive approach enables healthcare providers to manage the condition effectively and can significantly improve patient outcomes by preventing further harm.

While creating vaccines and treatments for curing diseases fall under primary and tertiary prevention, respectively, assessing risk factors for disease development also aligns more closely with primary prevention strategies aimed at preventing disease before it occurs rather than addressing issues after exposure.