Leading Causes of Preventable Death: Secondary Prevention

Scientific advancements in genetics have contributed to the knowledge of hereditary diseases and
have facilitated progress in specific protective measures in individuals who are carriers of a disease
gene or have an increased predisposition to a specific disease. Genetic testing has allowed
physicians to make quicker and more accurate diagnoses and has allowed for tailored treatments
or personalized medicine.[1] Similarly, specific protective measures such as water purification,
sewage treatment, and the development of personal hygienic routines (such as regular hand-
washing, safe sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections) became mainstream upon the
discovery of infectious disease agents and have decreased the rates of communicable diseases
which are spread in unsanitary conditions.[1]
Secondary prevention[edit]
Secondary prevention deals with latent diseases and attempts to prevent an asymptomatic disease
from progressing to symptomatic disease.[18] Certain diseases can be classified as primary or
secondary. This depends on definitions of what constitutes a disease, though, in general, primary
prevention addresses the root cause of a disease or injury[18] whereas secondary prevention aims to
detect and treat a disease early on.[32] Secondary prevention consists of "early diagnosis and prompt
treatment" to contain the disease and prevent its spread to other individuals, and "disability
limitation" to prevent potential future complications and disabilities from the disease. [1] For example,
early diagnosis and prompt treatment for a syphilis patient would include a course of antibiotics to
destroy the pathogen and screening and treatment of any infants born to syphilitic mothers. Disability
limitation for syphilitic patients includes continued check-ups on the heart, cerebrospinal fluid, and
central nervous system of patients to curb any damaging effects such as blindness or paralysis. [1]
Tertiary prevention[edit]
Finally, tertiary prevention attempts to reduce the damage caused by symptomatic disease by
focusing on mental, physical, and social rehabilitation. Unlike secondary prevention, which aims to
prevent disability, the objective of tertiary prevention is to maximize the remaining capabilities and
functions of an already disabled patient.[1] Goals of tertiary prevention include: preventing pain and
damage, halting progression and complications from disease, and restoring the health and functions
of the individuals affected by disease.[32] For syphilitic patients, rehabilitation includes measures to
prevent complete disability from the disease, such as implementing work-place adjustments for the
blind and paralyzed or providing counseling to restore normal daily functions to the greatest extent
possible.[1]
Leading causes of preventable death[edit]

United States[edit]
The leading cause of death in the United States was tobacco. However, poor diet and lack of
exercise may soon surpass tobacco as a leading cause of death. These behaviors are modifiable
and public health and prevention efforts could make a difference to reduce these deaths. [4]
Leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States in the year 2000[4]
Cause Deaths caused % of all deaths
Tobacco smoking 435,000 18.1

Poor diet and physical inactivity 400,000 16.6
Alcohol consumption 85,000 3.5
Infectious diseases 75,000 3.1
Toxicants 55,000 2.3
Traffic collisions 43,000 1.8
Firearm incidents 29,000 1.2
Sexually transmitted infections 20,000 0.8
Drug abuse 17,000 0.7
Worldwide[edit]
The leading causes of preventable death worldwide share similar trends to the United States. There
are a few differences between the two, such as malnutrition, pollution, and unsafe sanitation, that
reflect health disparities between the developing and developed world. [33]
Leading causes of preventable death worldwide as of the year 2001 [33]
Cause Deaths caused (millions per year)
Hypertension 7.8
Smoking 5.0
High cholesterol 3.9
Malnutrition 3.8
Sexually transmitted infections 3.0
Poor diet 2.8
Overweight and obesity 2.5
Physical inactivity 2.0
Alcohol 1.9
Indoor air pollution from solid fuels 1.8
Unsafe water and poor sanitation 1.6

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Scientific advancements in genetics have contributed to the knowledge of hereditary diseases and

Leading causes of preventable death[edit]

Cause Deaths caused % of all deaths

Tobacco smoking 435,000 18.1

Alcohol consumption 85,000 3.5

Infectious diseases 75,000 3.1

Toxicants 55,000 2.3

Traffic collisions 43,000 1.8

Firearm incidents 29,000 1.2

Sexually transmitted infections 20,000 0.8

Drug abuse 17,000 0.7

Leading causes of preventable death worldwide as of the year 2001 [33]

Cause Deaths caused (millions per year)

High cholesterol 3.9

Physical inactivity 2.0

Indoor air pollution from solid fuels 1.8

Unsafe water and poor sanitation 1.6

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