The Preventive Paradox

The Preventive Paradox refers to a situation where a public health intervention, such as vaccination or health screening, is highly effective at reducing disease at the population level but may lead individuals to perceive their personal risk as low. As a result, some people may feel less motivated to engage in healthy behaviors or participate in preventive measures, thinking they are not at risk. This paradox illustrates the challenge of ensuring that successful public health initiatives encourage individual action while maintaining awareness of personal health risks.