Public Health Prevention Hierarchy in Disaster Context

The public health prevention hierarchy—namely primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, is one of the most important public health principles which guide policy and programme development. Primary prevention attempts to prevent the onset of disease or reduce health risks. Strategies may include health protection and health promotion. Health protection can be carried out through the establishment of policies, regulations and programmes (e.g. vaccinations), while health promotion mainly involves health education and information sharing. Secondary prevention refers to stopping disease progression. Related activities aim to detect disease early and thus increase the opportunity for early intervention to prevent progression and symptom development. Screening is a classic example of secondary prevention. Tertiary prevention focuses on the rehabilitation of patients with an established disease to minimise residual disabilities and complications. It aims to restore bodily functions that have been impaired by the disease and impact. Treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care are examples of the tertiary prevention services. This chapter applies public health prevention hierarchy in disaster prevention and response. The application of these prevention concepts to support Health-EDRM in establishing disaster mitigation strategies, response programmes and post-disaster recovery policies may enhance individual survival and protect communities from adverse health outcomes in natural disasters in a cost-effective way.