### Question
What does preventive care mean?


### Answer
**Preventive care** has the following meaning in *38 U.S.C. § 1803*:

> care and treatment furnished to prevent disability or illness, including periodic examinations, immunizations, patient health education, and such other services as the Secretary determines necessary to provide effective and economical preventive health care

#### Citation:
  - *38 U.S.C. § 1803*
  - Heading: **PART II-GENERAL BENEFITS > CHAPTER 18-BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS AND CERTAIN OTHER VETERANS > SUBCHAPTER I-CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS BORN WITH SPINA BIFIDA**

