[Milestones in prevention in the past century]

The prevention of disease and premature death expanded enormously in the 20th century, greatly changing the pattern of disease and death in the Netherlands. This is most clearly apparent where infectious diseases are concerned. In part, the improvement of public health is not a direct result of specific programmes against specific health problems but of general improvement in socioeconomic circumstances. The other part of the improvement is mostly due to specific prevention both within and without the institutionalized health care. Within public health care this means, for instance, prenatal and adolescent health care. Outside health care it includes activity in the areas of hygiene, lifestyle and safety.