Improving the health of Oklahomans through clinical prevention, part II: Screening to identify early-stage disease and risk factors.
The purpose of screening is to identify asymptomatic disease, or risk factors for disease, so that interventions can occur as early as possible in the disease process. The primary goal is to decrease the morbidity the patient experiences from the disease. For infectious diseases, screening can benefit not only the individual with the disease but also the community, since infectious persons can be identified and treated prior to transmitting the disease to others. Although screening can be very beneficial to the individual and to the community, it can also have adverse outcomes if not used appropriately. In this article we will discuss current recommendations for the use of screening tests and their role in addressing the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Oklahoma. In general, physicians should consistently screen for the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke (hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes) and for early-stage cancers of the colon, breast, and cervix. They should also consider screening Native Americans for diabetes and persons at increased risk for certain infectious diseases, particularly sexually transmitted diseases.
Crutcher
J M
JM
Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma City 73117, USA.
DeRose
D J
DJ
DePersio
S R
SR
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors