Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered a primary prevention measure?

1. Screening for early detection of disease

2. Vaccination against infectious diseases

3. Rehabilitation after an injury

4. Education on healthy lifestyle choices

The correct answer is: Vaccination against infectious diseases

Vaccination against infectious diseases is categorized as a primary prevention measure because it aims to prevent the onset of disease before it occurs. The main goal of primary prevention is to reduce the risk factors and prevent illness in the first place, rather than addressing the disease after it has developed. In the context of public health, vaccinations create immunity against specific infectious agents, thereby protecting individuals and the community from disease outbreaks. By introducing a vaccine, the body is prepared to fight off the disease if it encounters it, effectively reducing incidence rates. Screening for early detection of disease, while crucial in the overall disease management and control strategy, is classified as secondary prevention because it aims to identify and address diseases at an early stage to prevent progression. Rehabilitation following an injury falls into tertiary prevention, as it involves managing the effects of an established disease or injury to improve quality of life. Education on healthy lifestyle choices can contribute to primary prevention by promoting habits that lower disease risk, but vaccination specifically provides direct prophylactic action against infectious diseases.