Traditionally, a sharp distinction has been made between primary prevention efforts (those designed to reduce the risk of developing an illness) and secondary prevention efforts (those designed to reduce the risk of further morbidity and mortality associated with illness after it has been contracted). However, recent advances in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of many chronic illnesses suggest a continuum of chronic illness risk and prevention opportunities, which begins with genetic predispositions and behavioral or environmental risk factors and continues to include the risks related to disease progression, associated sequelae, morbidity and mortality.
Translating state-of-the art public health and medical research into practice requires blurring the lines between primary and secondary prevention and shifting efforts both backward and forward along the risk and disease continuum. For example, similar medications and/or behavioral modifications are often relevant both to individuals living with chronic illness and to those at high risk for developing them; successful early intervention efforts depend upon wide-spread knowledge about the latest diagnosis and treatment techniques; chronic illness management now involves complex individual behavior changes traditionally associated with primary prevention.
What are the opportunities, costs, and benefits of targeting prevention policies and programs at different points along the continuum of risk and disease? How do societies, communities, programs, and individuals translate new research about chronic illness risk into practice? What theoretical frameworks and practical lessons can be adapted to inform new integrative prevention efforts? This presentation presents a model for understanding and meeting the challenges of advancing and translating prevention research into practice.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Chronic Illness, Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.