Prevention and intervention measures are critical in inhibiting the spread and severity of diseases. Primary, secondary and tertiary are the three levels of prevention. This study aims at elaborating on the levels of prevention by examining how a disease prevention issue is approached through an article from an influential newspaper. The study came across a New York Times article which fits the bill. The article focuses on government efforts to curb infections and manage the prevalence of the HIV epidemic in the USA. It was written by Pear Robert and Katie Rogers, on 4 th February 2018. It explains the recent efforts by the USA government to inhibit new cases of HIV infections and effectively treat those who are already infected. It stresses the commitment of the USA government under the Trump administration to health improvement. It lays down measures aimed and completely stopping new HIV infections by the year 2030 (Pear & Rogers, 2019, p 54) This plan involves working closely with the medical researchers to develop medicines which will minimize and control the spread among people who are considered to be at very high risk of infection. The principal secretary department of health has hailed this development as remarkable attainment citing the rights of the citizens to a proven prevention strategy (Pear & Rogers, 2019, p. 54). Public health department leaders agreed on unison that there are enough tools to curb the prevalence of the virus. Upon successful implementation, this bold step can be a sensational achievement for the current administration.
This article addresses disease prevention, an essential factor in this study. It is appropriate to use while covering the topic because it involves the identification of common disease and formulation ways of curbing its spread. It involves laid down prevention and control measures as well as management processes among the infected individuals. This article describes preventive measures which meet the primary prevention criterion. Primary prevention measures involve acting accordingly to prevent diseases before people are infected. This prevention level involves actions such as immunization and health education. The primary preventive measure addressed in the article is using the available medical tools to lower viral load among the infected people which reduces the risk of transmitting the disease to others. HIV negative individual will be protected using the primary preventive measures. Other commonly applied primary preventive measures include physical exercises to curb obesity and government legislation such as bans on substances with adverse repercussions on health (Institution of Work & health, 2015).
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Some procedures described in this article can also be classified as secondary preventive methods. Among the HIV positive people, the outlined treatment procedure aims at treating the infected persons to lower their viral load and improve the quality of their lives. Keeping the viral load down can prevent advancing of HIV to AIDS which is more infectious and can ultimately damage the immune system. Other preventive measures which fall under this category include regular checkups and screening (Institution of Work & health, 2015). Medical tests help to detect and manage infections and diseases in the earliest stage before they weaken the body. It is instrumental in managing cancers.
Interestingly, this article also falls under the information sources regarding tertiary prevention methods when approached from this point of view. HIV is a chronic disease which is incurable but can be controlled. These measures and tools can help reduce the impacts of the virus to the infected individuals. HIV is a complex long-term issue which requires these measures to increase the life expectancy among the victims and help them function normally. Other preventive measures at this level include support groups and rehabilitation programs which are ideal for controlling and managing chronic diseases (Institution of Work & health, 2015). Understanding the levels of prevention is essential in improving healthcare and optimizing the quality of life.
References
Institution of Work & health. (2015, April). Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention | Institute for Work & Health. Retrieved February 14, 2019, from https://www.iwh.on.ca/what-researchers-mean-by/primary-secondary-and-tertiary-prevention
Pear, R., & Rogers, K. (2019, February 4). Trump Expected to Announce Plan to Stop Spread of H.I.V. in the U.S. by 2030. New York Times [Washington].
