Community medicine primarily aims to improve the health of populations by focusing on prevention, health promotion, and control of diseases at the community level. It emphasizes applying epidemiological principles to identify health needs and implement strategies that prevent illness and promote wellness before individual treatment is necessary. Unlike options focused on individual care or surgical interventions, community medicine targets health determinants and social factors to reduce disease burden on a large scale. This proactive approach helps in optimizing resource utilization and achieving sustainable health outcomes for entire communities.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, K. Park, 25th Edition.