Promoting Preventive Care and Health Promotion in Primary Care

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health and Preventive Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 8 August 2026 | Viewed by 1294

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
2. Unit of Epidemiology and Health Statistic, Local Health Autority of Pescara, 65100 Pescara, Italy
Interests: epidemiology; public health; non-communicable diseases; health services research; outcomes research; vaccines
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Primary care serves as the cornerstone of effective and equitable health systems. As the first point of contact for individuals and families, it plays a crucial role not only in diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions but also in promoting health and preventing disease across the life course.

In recent decades, the global burden of disease has shifted toward chronic, non-communicable conditions, many of which are closely linked to modifiable risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption. Against this backdrop, the integration of preventive care and health promotion into primary care is no longer optional—it is essential.

However, despite the growing evidence supporting preventive interventions in primary care settings, implementation remains inconsistent across regions and health systems. Structural barriers, limited time and resources, inadequate training, and fragmented care models often hinder the systematic application of prevention and health promotion strategies in everyday practice.

This Special Issue brings together original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore innovative models, tools, and policies aimed at strengthening the role of primary care in prevention and health promotion. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following: screening and early detection programs, lifestyle interventions, digital health solutions, community-based initiatives, equity in access to preventive services, and interprofessional approaches to care.

By highlighting successful strategies and identifying persistent gaps, this collection aims to inform policymakers, clinicians, and researchers about the transformative potential of a more prevention-oriented primary care. Our hope is that it will contribute to a broader conversation on how to design and deliver primary care that not only treats illness but also empowers individuals and communities to lead healthier lives.

Dr. Giuseppe Di Martino
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • preventive medicine
  • primary care
  • health promotion
  • healthcare
  • prevention
  • health inequalities
  • health interventions
  • behaviors
  • chronic diseases
  • non-communicable diseases

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 561 KB  
Article
Living Alone as a Persistent Risk Factor for Smoking and High-Risk Drinking: A Three-Year Repeated Cross-Sectional Analysis Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Republic of Korea
by Sarang Jang
Healthcare 2026, 14(9), 1251; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14091251 - 6 May 2026
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Abstract
Background: Single-person households have grown rapidly in the Republic of Korea and are consistently associated with higher rates of smoking and high-risk drinking. However, it remains unclear whether this vulnerability is structural and chronic or merely situational. This study examined whether the [...] Read more.
Background: Single-person households have grown rapidly in the Republic of Korea and are consistently associated with higher rates of smoking and high-risk drinking. However, it remains unclear whether this vulnerability is structural and chronic or merely situational. This study examined whether the COVID-19 pandemic—a major societal disruption—altered the preexisting behavioral gap between single- and multi-person households. Methods: We used repeated cross-sectional data from the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) for 2019 (unweighted n = 229,099), 2020 (unweighted n = 229,269), and 2021 (unweighted n = 229,242), representing weighted populations of approximately 43.0, 43.5, and 43.6 million adults aged ≥19 years, respectively. We applied complex sample logistic regression models including an interaction term between survey year and household type, adjusting for sex, age, income, and education. Results: High-risk drinking significantly declined in both household types across all three time points following the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas smoking showed no significant overall change. Critically, the year x household type interaction was non-significant for high-risk drinking across all years; for smoking, a marginally significant interaction emerged only in 2021 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01–1.16), suggesting a slight but limited divergence in the later pandemic period. Single-person households consistently showed higher odds of smoking (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.56–1.74) and high-risk drinking (AOR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.25–1.39) across all three time points, relative to multi-person households and referenced to 2019 as the pre-pandemic baseline. Conclusions: The health behavioral vulnerability of single-person households is structural and persistent, underscoring the need for household-structure-sensitive public health strategies to promote sustainable well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Preventive Care and Health Promotion in Primary Care)
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16 pages, 2223 KB  
Article
Implementation of Health Empowerment Theory-Based Personalized Health Promotion in Village Health Volunteer Risk Group for Non-Communicable Diseases: A Mixed-Methods Study
by Supansa Srikong, Patcharin Phooncharoen, Suranun Klinsrisuk, Jakarin Thapsaeng, Wichai Eungpinichpong, Le Ke Nghiep and Kukiat Tudpor
Healthcare 2026, 14(8), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14081006 - 11 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Objective: Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) are vital to Thailand’s primary healthcare, yet many face high risks for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This preliminary study aimed to implement health empowerment theory-based personalized health promotion for individuals in the NCD-risk group. Methods: The preliminary mixed-methods study [...] Read more.
Objective: Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) are vital to Thailand’s primary healthcare, yet many face high risks for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This preliminary study aimed to implement health empowerment theory-based personalized health promotion for individuals in the NCD-risk group. Methods: The preliminary mixed-methods study implemented a 6-month empowerment-based health promotion program for 21 VHV leaders (mean age 62.43 ± 7.28 years) at risk for NCDs. The intervention integrated laboratory data, behavioral and qualitative focus-group insights, and quantitative anthropometric data obtained via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Results: Participants’ exercise adequacy significantly improved after the intervention, increasing from 8.3% to 61.9% (p = 0.03). BIA revealed a physiological shift toward improved energy homeostasis, including decreased body weight, reduced visceral fat area, and increased muscle hydration. While biochemical markers did not reach statistical significance, clinically favorable downward trends were observed in median HbA1c (8.0% to 7.3%) and LDL cholesterol (141.8 to 119.0 mg/dL), alongside stable renal and liver function. Qualitative thematic analysis identified four primary domains of impact: sustainability and systemic advocacy, personal transformation, broad competence acquisition, and enhanced social capital. Participants reported a marked increase in self-efficacy, transitioning from inactive beneficiaries to active health advocates. This change was largely driven by mastery experiences, such as visible improvements in body composition and functional health literacy. Conclusions: The empowerment program significantly improved physical activity and body composition while fostering the social capital and health literacy necessary for community leadership, suggesting that personal health mastery is a critical precursor to effective systemic advocacy and long-term sustainability in community-led health programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Preventive Care and Health Promotion in Primary Care)
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