When are secondary prevention strategies implemented?

• A. Once the disaster occurs.
• B. Before the disaster.
• C. During the planning phase.
• D. After the recovery phase.

Answer: (A)

Secondary prevention focuses on reducing the severity of consequences once the hazardous event has begun. It involves rapid response to prevent death and injury and to avert secondary complications, such as triage, urgent medical care, and disease prevention measures started during the disaster. Because these actions target harms that have already started, they are implemented once the disaster occurs. Before the event, efforts are about reducing risk through mitigation and preparedness, and after the event, recovery-oriented activities address long-term rehabilitation. So the timing is during the occurrence of the disaster.