Which term is defined as recovery from disaster?

• A. Primary prevention
• B. Secondary prevention
• C. Disaster management
• D. Tertiary prevention

Answer: (D)

In public health, prevention levels are about timing relative to an event or disease. Primary prevention aims to stop the event from happening in the first place, such as building safer infrastructure to prevent disasters. Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and prompt action to limit harm once a problem begins, like rapid screening or assessment after a disaster to catch issues early. Tertiary prevention targets reducing long-term consequences once damage has occurred, focusing on rehabilitation, restoring function, and preventing further disability. Recovery from a disaster is about getting communities back to normal and minimizing lasting harm, which fits with tertiary prevention because it seeks to lessen long-term impact after the event. Disaster management covers all phases—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—but the specific activity of restoring health and function after the disaster aligns with tertiary prevention.