Three levels of disability prevention and management

¶ … Preventing Disabilities

Personal disabilities and challenges can be dealt with in three distinct ways. There are three distinct levels of prevention. These three levels include; 1.) Prevention by preventing the occurrence of the impairment, 2.) Prevention by preventing, limiting, or reversing the disability caused by the impairment, and 3.) Prevention by preventing the transition of the disability into unacceptable challenges or handicaps. This paper will briefly discuss each of the three levels of prevention.

The first level of prevention deals directly with preventing the occurrence of the impairment. This simply means that the disability can be prevented by general, public, and common health education. A good health education program that focuses on good health, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, and disease and illness prevention are part of the first level of prevention. Preventing something before it occurs is the most effective way to assure that disabilities and challenges can be eliminated or conquered.

Many communities today offer public health education opportunities where people can obtain an ocean about medical conditions, treatments, preventions, and diagnosis. Many doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, and other facilities are constantly publishing and presenting information on medical illnesses and their treatment. Being educated about good health is the most effective method for preventing disabilities and challenges before they occur.

The second level of prevention involves preventing, limiting, or reversing the disability caused by impairment. This level is comprised of early detection and treatment of diseases, disorders, and poor health; including those which are occupational in nature. This level simply states that by eliminating the cause of the disability, the impairment caused by the disability will diminish. For example, the lowering of one's stress level will prevent future illnesses and diseases; and in the long run, may prevent an impairment caused primarily from the stress that occurred in the past. Therefore, preventing, limiting, or reversing the disability caused by impairment is an effective way of preventing disabilities before they occur.