Prophylaxis (preventive treatment or preventive medicine) is the prevention of disease before it occurs, as opposed to the treatment of disease. Health encompasses a range of physical and mental states. Environmental factors, genetic predisposition, disease agents, and lifestyle choices influence illness and disability. Health, illness and disability are dynamic states that can change without individuals realizing it. Disease prevention is based on measures that can be categorized as primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
Millions of deaths can be prevented each year. A 2004 study showed that about half of all deaths in the United States in 2000 were due to preventable behaviors and exposures. The leading causes were cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, unintentional injuries, diabetes, and some infectious diseases.[3] The study also estimated that about 400,000 people died due to poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization, 55 million people died worldwide in 2011, with non-communicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes, chronic cardiovascular and lung diseases, accounting for two-thirds of this group. 60% of deaths were attributed to such diseases, and this proportion started to increase after 2000. Given that the prevalence of chronic diseases and deaths from these diseases is on the rise worldwide, the importance of preventive health care has received particular attention.
There are many ways to prevent diseases. It is recommended that adults and children, even if they feel healthy, should have regular medical check-ups to be screened for disease, to identify risk factors for disease, to get tips for a healthy and balanced life, as well as to prepare the body with vaccines and immune boosters and to maintain a good relationship with a health care provider.
Some common health screenings include tests for high blood pressure, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus), high cholesterol, rectal cancer screening, depression, HIV and other known types of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, mammography (to screen for breast cancer), colorectal cancer screening, pap test (to check for cervical cancer) and osteoporosis screening.
Genetic tests can be done to screen for mutations; some diseases, such as breast or ovarian cancer, are caused by genetic disorders or genetic predisposition. These tests are not affordable for all individuals and the cost-effectiveness of preventive health services is still a matter of debate.