Vicissitudes of preventive medicine and a new challenge.
OBJECTIVE
Significant changes in mortality patterns are part of the changing population demographics. This paper explores their implications for health evaluation and screening programs.


METHODS
A review of selected age-adjusted mortality rates from the National Vital Statistics Reports of the USA was undertaken and their change over the last five decades analyzed.


RESULTS
The review shows a continued decline in mortality rates from leading causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and a sharp rise in the death rates from Alzheimer's disease. Available means for detection of Alzeimer's disease are summarized.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the emerging possibilities for the treatment and prevention of the progression of Alzheimer's disease, tests for early detection of Alzheimer's should be included in health screening examinations.
Collen
M F
MF
Kaiser Permanente, Medical Care Program, Oakland, CA, USA. Mfcollen@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011157:Population Dynamics; D015995:Prevalence; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology