The impact of public cholesterol screening on diet, general well-being, and physician referral.
Public cholesterol screenings have become common. To evaluate the public health impact of such events, we conducted a public cholesterol screening and, three months later, invited participants between the ages of 18 and 72 to return for follow-up. More than 77% (N = 143) returned. We collected information on diet and general well-being at baseline and follow-up, and we obtained information on further medical evaluation of the initial cholesterol value at follow-up. Diet improved regardless of baseline cholesterol level (overall diet score 2.10 baseline, 1.75 follow-up, P less than .001). There were no adverse psychosocial ("labeling") effects in persons told of elevated cholesterol levels. About one-third of individuals referred to their physicians for elevated cholesterol values discussed the cholesterol issue with their physicians, as did a similar proportion of those told of a desirable cholesterol level. Total cholesterol decreased from 218.5 to 211.6 mg/dL (P = 0.18, 95% CI for the change, -18.5 to +4.7 mg/dL). Public cholesterol screening did not appear to have any adverse effects and may lead to beneficial changes in diet in persons screened.
Hyman
D J
DJ
Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University Medical Center, California.
Flora
J A
JA
Reynolds
K D
KD
Johannsson
M B
MB
Farquhar
J W
JW
D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013383:Suburban Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires