SPECIAL TOPIC
A Population Approach to Mitigating the Long-Term Health Effects of Combat Deployments
The figure is a visual representation of how postcombat care moves through the 3 levels of the population health model. The figure is oriented from left to right and the middle of the figure is divided into the 3 categories of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention is labeled “No Disease” and emphasizes prevention. Secondary prevention is labeled “Subclinical Disease” and emphasizes detection. Tertiary prevention is labeled “Diagnosed Disease” and emphasizes treatment. The upper portion of the figure labels primary and secondary levels as preventive services, and labels tertiary prevention as disease management. The bottom of the figure describes veteran health as no impairment (primary prevention), impairment (secondary prevention), and disease with impairment (tertiary prevention).
Figure. Levels of population health as applied to postcombat care. Primary prevention includes veterans with no disease who receive preventive services. Secondary prevention is screening to detect subclinical disease. Tertiary prevention is management of disease.
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