What does secondary prevention focus on in disease management?

Secondary prevention in disease management aims to prevent the recurrence of a disease or mitigate its severity after it has occurred. This approach often involves early detection and intervention strategies, such as screening and follow-up care, which help to identify any potential complications or relapses of a disease before they become more serious. For instance, in the context of addiction medicine, secondary prevention might involve ongoing support and therapy to prevent relapse in patients who have previously experienced substance use disorders.

While the other options relate to different levels of prevention, they do not align with the objectives of secondary prevention. For instance, preventing diseases from occurring for the first time is characteristic of primary prevention, while improving the quality of life pertains more to tertiary prevention, which focuses on managing long-term effects and rehabilitation. Providing initial education about diseases is often part of primary prevention as well, aimed at raising awareness to avert initial incidents. Thus, secondary prevention is distinct in its focus on the reoccurrence and management of existing conditions.