By Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD

Preventable Diseases: What You Need to Know About Vaccines and Public Health

Many of the world’s most serious illnesses can now be avoided through simple, effective measures—yet preventable diseases still impact millions of people each year. From vaccine-preventable infections to illnesses influenced by public health choices, understanding how prevention works is key to living a healthier life and protecting communities.

In this article, we’ll explore what preventable diseases are, highlight some of the most common vaccine-preventable conditions, and explain how you can take proactive steps to safeguard your health.

What Are Preventable Diseases?

Preventable diseases are illnesses that can be avoided through medical interventions (like vaccines), behavioral changes, or early detection. These conditions are responsible for a significant portion of global mortality, despite many being manageable—or entirely avoidable—with current public health strategies.

There are two main types:

• Vaccine-preventable diseases: illnesses that immunization can help prevent.
• Lifestyle-related chronic diseases: conditions like Type 2 diabetes or some cancers, which may be prevented through healthy habits.

This article focuses on vaccine-preventable diseases, which are some of the most common and impactful.

Why Vaccines Matter

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools in modern medicine. They work by training the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens without causing illness. This protects individuals and also reduces disease spread through herd immunity—a form of indirect protection that occurs when enough people are vaccinated.

Since the introduction of vaccines, global rates of once-deadly diseases have dropped dramatically. For example, measles deaths worldwide declined by 73% between 2000 and 2018, largely thanks to increased vaccination coverage.

Common Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Vaccines currently help prevent more than 20 potentially life-threatening diseases, according to the World Health Organization. Below is a list of common vaccine-preventable diseases recognized in the U.S.:

• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Hepatitis A and B
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Pneumococcal Disease
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Influenza (Flu)
• Polio
• COVID-19

Many of these diseases, such as measles and pertussis, are highly contagious and can lead to severe complications or death, especially in vulnerable populations like infants and the elderly.

Who Should Be Vaccinated?

Vaccination is important for people of all ages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides recommended immunization schedules for:

• Infants and children: Vaccination starts at birth and continues through adolescence.
• Adults: Booster shots and vaccines like shingles, flu, and HPV are essential for continued protection.
• Pregnant people: Specific vaccines like Tdap help protect both parent and baby.
• Older adults: Seniors are encouraged to get pneumococcal, shingles, and flu vaccines.

People with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems may need tailored vaccine plans, and it's important to consult healthcare providers for personalized recommendations.

Barriers to Vaccination

Despite their effectiveness, not everyone gets vaccinated. Common barriers include:

• Vaccine misinformation: Myths about vaccine safety have contributed to hesitancy in some communities.
• Access and equity issues: In some areas, vaccines are limited or difficult to access.
• Cultural concerns or fear of side effects: Education and healthcare partnerships are essential to overcoming these challenges.

Global and National Efforts

Organizations like the CDC, WHO, and UNICEF coordinate vaccination campaigns that have saved millions of lives. These programs distribute vaccines, provide education, and monitor disease outbreaks.

Notable successes include:

• Smallpox eradication: The only human disease eliminated through vaccination.
• Near-eradication of polio: Cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988.

However, preventable diseases continue to resurface. In the U.S., measles outbreaks have occurred in undervaccinated communities, underscoring the need for high coverage.

Preventable Diseases in the U.S.

In the United States, all 50 states require certain vaccines for school entry. Yet, state-level data reveals disparities in vaccination rates. For instance, rural areas often have lower coverage, leaving communities vulnerable during outbreaks.

Flu and pneumococcal diseases remain leading causes of vaccine-preventable death in U.S. adults, especially among seniors and those with underlying conditions.

How You Can Help Prevent Disease

Preventing disease isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s also about community care. Here’s what you can do:

• Stay up to date on vaccinations: Check your immunization history and consult your provider regularly.
• Get annual flu shots and COVID-19 boosters as needed.
• Encourage friends and family to vaccinate, especially children and seniors.
• Practice good hygiene, like frequent handwashing and staying home when sick.
• Use preventive health tools, including at-home tests for infections, vitamin levels, and more.

FAQs: Common Questions About Preventable Diseases

What are the most common preventable diseases? Diseases like measles, influenza, hepatitis B, and whooping cough are among the most common preventable, through vaccination.

What are examples of vaccine-preventable diseases? Measles, mumps, rubella, HPV, polio, and chickenpox are all examples of diseases that vaccines can prevent.

Why are some diseases called vaccine-preventable? These diseases can be avoided or significantly reduced through timely immunization. Who needs to be vaccinated against preventable diseases? Everyone—especially children, seniors, healthcare workers, and people with chronic conditions.

How do vaccines help prevent infectious diseases? Vaccines train your immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens before illness occurs.

How Everlywell Can Help

Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing illness, but they’re just one piece of your overall health picture. Everlywell offers easy, at-home lab tests to help you monitor key health indicators—from vitamin D to immune markers—empowering you to take control of your wellness.

With the right information and timely action, many diseases can be prevented or managed before they become serious. Prevention starts with awareness—and Everlywell is here to help every step of the way.