Secondary disease prevention involves

• A. Identification and treatment of asymptomatic persons with risk factors or preclinical disease
• B. Vaccination programs
• C. Rehabilitation after illness
• D. Treatment of late-stage disease

Answer: (A)

Secondary prevention focuses on finding and treating disease early in people who do not yet have symptoms, with the goal of stopping the disease from getting worse or causing complications. The statement that describes identifying and treating asymptomatic individuals who have risk factors or preclinical disease captures this idea precisely, since it targets an early, often subclinical stage to prevent progression.

Vaccination programs are primary prevention because they aim to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. Rehabilitation after illness is tertiary prevention, aimed at reducing impairment and restoring function after disease has already manifested. Treatment of late-stage disease also falls under tertiary prevention, focusing on managing advanced disease and preventing complications.