Sexual health Public health
How should the Public Health Model be applied so it really contributes to improved sexual health for all? Public Health recognizes three levels of prevention – Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. Primary prevention involves prevention of the disease or injury itself, Fluoride, Immunization, Education to avoid smoking and substance abuse. Secondary prevention blocks the progression of an injury or disease from an impairment to a disability. An impairment has already occurred, but disability may be prevented through early intervention.
Use of the Papanicolaou smear to look for early cellular changes that are thought to be precursors of cancer is a good example of secondary prevention. Treatment of certain streptococcal infections with penicillin can prevent the occasional development of rheumatic fever and serious heart disease; Tertiary prevention blocks or retards the progression of a disability.
The early detection and effective management of diabetes can prevent some of the complications associated with the disease, or at least slow their rate of progression:
Public Health
Sexual Health
Primary Prevention:Fluoride
Secondary Prevention: Screening Tests
Tertiary Prevention: Slows/Decreases Disability
Look at the sexual difficulties/dysfunction and think about how they can be prevented using the Public Health Model
