What is the main goal of preventive healthcare?

The primary goal of preventive healthcare is to reduce the incidence of disease. This approach focuses on measures that can be taken to prevent diseases before they occur, rather than addressing them after they have already manifested. Preventive healthcare includes activities such as vaccinations, regular health screenings, education about healthy lifestyles, and other interventions aimed at minimizing risk factors associated with various health conditions. By effectively implementing these strategies, healthcare providers aim to keep the population healthier and reduce the overall burden of disease, which also lessens the demand for more complex medical treatments later on.

In contrast, treating illnesses as they occur focuses on responding to disease rather than preventing it, while enhancing diagnostic testing emphasizes identifying diseases that are already present rather than preventing them. Improving clinical practices may lead to better healthcare outcomes but does not directly target the prevention aspect. Therefore, the aim of preventive healthcare is best captured by its focus on proactive measures to decrease disease occurrence.