What does secondary prevention involve?

Secondary prevention focuses on the early detection and treatment of diseases before they progress to more severe stages. It includes methods aimed at identifying diseases in their early stages to ensure prompt intervention, which can lead to better health outcomes. Examples of secondary prevention include screenings, such as mammograms for breast cancer or blood pressure checks for hypertension, which allow for early diagnosis and management of health conditions. By addressing health issues at an early stage, secondary prevention can significantly reduce complications and improve survival rates.

The other options are related to different types of prevention. Encouraging exercise and better nutrition falls under primary prevention because it aims to prevent diseases before they occur. Providing support groups for chronic illnesses is more about managing existing conditions rather than preventing them, placing it outside the realm of secondary prevention. Administering vaccines is also primary prevention, as it focuses on preventing diseases from occurring in the first place. Thus, the essence of secondary prevention lies specifically in identifying health issues early on and facilitating timely intervention.