What best defines secondary prevention?

• A. Prevention that happens before the disease
• B. Prevention that happens after the disease
• C. Managing complicated, long-term diseases
• D. Screening and early detection

Answer: (B)

Secondary prevention focuses on actions taken after a disease process has begun, with the aim of catching it early and preventing progression to more serious illness or disability. Framing it as “after the disease” emphasizes the timing—the disease is present, and interventions are applied promptly to limit harm. This includes practices like screening and early treatment so problems are identified and addressed before they lead to significant complications.

Understanding the other options helps place it in context: preventing the disease from occurring at all is primary prevention, while managing advanced or long-term complications once they’re established reflects tertiary prevention. Although screening and early detection are classic examples of secondary prevention, the key idea here is the onset of disease and intervening early to stop its progression.