Compare the four levels of prevention (primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary) with the levels of service provision available across the life span.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Comparing the Four Levels of Prevention with Levels of Service Provision Across the Lifespan
In public health and healthcare, prevention strategies are crucial for reducing the incidence and impact of diseases and conditions. The four levels of prevention—primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary—serve distinct purposes in health promotion and disease prevention. Simultaneously, healthcare services are provided across various stages of life, from infancy to old age. This essay will compare the four levels of prevention with the corresponding levels of service provision available throughout the lifespan.
1. Primordial Prevention
Definition
Primordial prevention aims to prevent the emergence of risk factors in populations by addressing social, environmental, and economic determinants of health. Its focus is on establishing healthy behaviors and environments before risk factors develop.
Lifespan Services
– Infancy and Childhood: Programs promoting breastfeeding, proper nutrition, and physical activity in schools are examples of primordial prevention during these stages. Initiatives that ensure safe neighborhoods and access to recreational facilities help create environments conducive to healthy lifestyles.
– Adolescence: Education on healthy relationships, substance abuse prevention programs, and initiatives that address mental health can reduce the likelihood of risky behaviors emerging.
2. Primary Prevention
Definition
Primary prevention focuses on preventing the onset of disease or injury by promoting health and reducing risk factors. This level includes interventions aimed at individuals or populations without existing health issues.
Lifespan Services
– Infancy and Childhood: Immunization programs, health education about nutrition, and regular health screenings are critical primary prevention services. These services aim to reduce the incidence of childhood diseases.
– Adolescence: Health education campaigns targeting risky behaviors (e.g., smoking cessation, safe sex practices) are essential primary prevention strategies.
– Adulthood: Lifestyle modification programs, such as smoking cessation support, weight management, and stress reduction workshops, are examples of primary prevention services for adults.
– Older Adults: Vaccination programs for influenza and pneumonia, as well as fall prevention strategies, are vital for maintaining health in older adults.
3. Secondary Prevention
Definition
Secondary prevention involves early detection and prompt treatment of diseases to reduce severity and prevent complications. This level focuses on screening and intervention for individuals who may be at risk or have early signs of a condition.
Lifespan Services
– Infancy and Childhood: Developmental screenings during well-child visits enable early identification of potential developmental delays or health issues.
– Adolescence: Screening for mental health issues, substance use disorders, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can help identify problems early.
– Adulthood: Regular screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies) are essential secondary prevention services.
– Older Adults: Comprehensive geriatric assessments can identify health risks and facilitate early intervention for chronic diseases.
4. Tertiary Prevention
Definition
Tertiary prevention focuses on managing and mitigating the impact of established diseases or conditions. It aims to improve quality of life and reduce complications through rehabilitation and supportive services.
Lifespan Services
– Infancy and Childhood: For children with chronic conditions (e.g., asthma), specialized care plans and support services help manage their health effectively.
– Adolescence: For adolescents with chronic illnesses or mental health conditions, rehabilitation services and counseling support can aid in managing their conditions.
– Adulthood: Chronic disease management programs for conditions like diabetes or heart disease involve ongoing medical care, lifestyle support, and rehabilitation services.
– Older Adults: Palliative care services and rehabilitation programs (physical therapy, occupational therapy) assist older adults in managing chronic conditions while maximizing their quality of life.
Conclusion
In summary, the four levels of prevention—primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary—serve distinct roles in promoting health and managing diseases across the lifespan. Each level aligns with specific services provided at different life stages, from infancy through older adulthood. Understanding these connections is vital for developing comprehensive health strategies that address the needs of individuals throughout their lives. By implementing appropriate interventions at each level of prevention, healthcare providers can enhance overall community health and improve individual outcomes.
