Which public health strategy focuses on later-stage diseases?

The focus of tertiary prevention is on managing and reducing the impact of established diseases and their complications. This strategy is applicable to individuals who have already been diagnosed with a disease and aims to improve their quality of life and reduce further morbidity and mortality. Tertiary prevention involves rehabilitation services, support for chronic health issues, and measures to prevent complications and recurrence of diseases.

By concentrating on the later stages of disease, tertiary prevention plays a crucial role in public health by supporting patients in managing their conditions, thus optimizing their functioning and often reducing the burden on healthcare systems. This stage of prevention contrasts with primary prevention, which aims to prevent diseases before they occur, and secondary prevention, which focuses on early detection and prompt treatment of diseases to halt progression. Quaternary prevention adds a layer of concern regarding the over-medicalization of individuals, emphasizing the need to protect patients from unnecessary or excessive interventions.