Florida National University Levels of Health Promotion Discussions

Health promotion takes different approaches based on the level of prevention that is coherent with the health needs of the patient. In this regard, there are three levels of health promotion namely; primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention (Nutland & Cragg, 2015). However, regardless of the levels, the common factor is that health interventions are premised on the need to avoid the occurrence of a disease or the occurrence of severe complications. In this regard, at the primary level, the measures are directed towards the prevention of the occurrence of the beginning of the disease process (Nutland & Cragg, 2015). The most common health promotion exercise is the immunization and observing an active lifestyle. Moreover, at secondary level promotion, the goal of the preventive measure is to help the patient to get timely diagnosis and treatment of a disease. As a result, severe complications are avoided. Common intervention here includes breast self-examination which facilitates timely intervention in the case of breast cancer. Above all, there is the tertiary prevention level is where preventive measures are centered on rehabilitating the patients who have experienced serious illness (Nutland & Cragg, 2015). Interventions here include re-empowering the patients to deal with the new ‘self’ such as being physically disabled.

Therefore, every level of health promotion can determine the nature of health education. For example, at the primary level, patient education is premised on the need to help them understand the cause and effect on the various disease to ensure that they can deal with the causes of diseases proactively (Fleming & Baldwin, 2020). A good example is helping new mothers understand the immunization schedule and the effects of failing to observe them. Moreover, at the secondary levels, the empowerment is centered on helping the patients understand the symptoms of diseases and when to seek medical attention in line with the level’s goal of securing timely diagnosis and treatment (Fleming & Baldwin, 2020). Above all, when it comes to the tertiary level, the goal of patient education is to help them understand both pharmacological and non-pharmacological responsibilities in the rehabilitation process and have an improved self-awareness. Therefore, every level of health promotion has its goals which in turn dictate the nature of health education that is relevant to a patient.

References

Fleming, M. L., & Baldwin, L. (2020). Health promotion in the 21st century: New approaches to achieving health for all. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Nutland, W., & Cragg, L. (2015). Health promotion practice. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill Education/Open University Press