What term describes the efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occurring?

The term that describes efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occurring is primary prevention. This approach focuses on reducing the risk factors and implementing measures that minimize the chances of diseases or injuries developing in the first place. Examples of primary prevention include vaccination programs, educational campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles, and implementing safety regulations to reduce workplace hazards.

In contrast, public health is a broader term that encompasses various efforts to improve health and prevent disease within populations, and while it can include primary prevention, it does not specifically denote the prevention of injuries or illnesses. Secondary prevention involves early detection and intervention to halt the progression of a disease after it has begun, such as screening for high blood pressure. Abduction does not relate to the prevention of injuries or illnesses at all and pertains to a completely different context. Thus, primary prevention is the most precise term for the concept of preventing health issues before they start.