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Public Health & Epidemiology vocabulary · Prevention and Vaccination

Tertiary prevention

Meaning in public health & epidemiology, with examples

nounCommon term

In public health & epidemiology, tertiary prevention means: Reducing the impact of an illness that people already have, by preventing complications, disability and relapse and helping them live as well as possible.

In Turkish: üçüncül korunma, üçüncül koruma

How it is used

The third level of prevention. Cardiac rehabilitation, diabetic foot care and support groups after a stroke are typical examples. It overlaps with clinical care and rehabilitation services.

Example sentences

  1. Tertiary prevention in diabetes focuses on avoiding amputations and kidney failure.

  2. Rehabilitation after a heart attack is a classic example of tertiary prevention.

Common collocations

  • tertiary prevention measures
  • rehabilitation services
  • prevent complications
  • secondary preventionFinding a disease early, before or soon after symptoms begin, and acting quickly to stop it from getting worse, for example through screening.
  • primary preventionAction taken to stop a disease or injury from happening at all, for example vaccination, seat belt laws or reducing the salt in processed food.
  • noncommunicable diseaseA long-lasting illness that is not passed from person to person, such as heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease or diabetes.

More terms: Prevention and Vaccination

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.