Which of the following best describes a preventive program?

The description of a preventive program clearly aligns with initiatives that are designed to reduce health risks. Preventive programs are specifically formulated to avoid the onset of diseases or health problems by implementing strategies that target risk factors and promote healthier behaviors within a community. These programs can encompass a wide range of activities, such as vaccination campaigns, education on healthy living, and screening initiatives that aim to identify potential health issues before they develop into more serious conditions.

In contrast, programs that evaluate treatment effectiveness focus on analyzing how well treatments work after health issues have already occurred, which does not align with the preventive nature of a program. Similarly, services that focus on acute patient care deal primarily with the immediate treatment of health problems rather than their prevention. Assessments of community health status, while important for identifying health needs and issues, do not actively engage in reducing health risks; they are more about gathering data on existing health conditions rather than preventing them. Thus, option B accurately encapsulates the essence of what preventive programs strive to achieve.