Which statement correctly identifies the three levels of health care prevention?

• A. Primary: remove risk factors; Secondary: early detection and treatment; Tertiary: reduce complications
• B. Primary: early detection and treatment; Secondary: remove risk factors; Tertiary: cure disease
• C. Primary: remove risk factors; Secondary: reduce complications; Tertiary: early detection
• D. Primary: remove risk factors; Secondary: early detection; Tertiary: reduce complications

Answer: (A)

Understanding the three levels of health care prevention: Primary prevention aims to stop disease before it starts by removing risk factors and promoting healthy habits. Secondary prevention involves screening and early detection to catch disease early and treat it promptly to prevent progression. Tertiary prevention focuses on reducing complications and disability once a disease is established, helping patients rehab and manage ongoing effects.

The statement aligns with these definitions: Primary is about removing risk factors; secondary is about early detection and treatment; tertiary is about reducing complications. This mapping fits the standard purpose of each level, with early detection and treatment properly placed in secondary and reduction of complications central to tertiary care.

Other options mix up the roles—certain elements belong more appropriately to a different level (for example, early detection not being primary, or the idea of curing a disease as a tertiary goal).