Medical screening tests among healthy adults: Is Eight Enough?

June 13, 2009
1 min read

Yeah. Eight should do it.

That is, if you believe what U.S. Preventive Services Task Force– a government-sponsored expert panel that evaluates preventive tests, is telling healthy adults in the US. This meant that of the countless battery of tests that are included in those “executive” work up, only eight, I repeat-only eight will “likely lead to a better health”. I’m not so sure about what where there basis for choosing this eight but I suspect clinical studies that validate it on a public health scale should be one of them.

Nonetheless, and pending reactions from our public health authorities here in our country here are the “test” and their range of acceptable values as published in Forbes Magazine.

I am not sure how our colleagues in the medical profession will react to this and so our public health officials. I am more interested in its implications towards my well adult patients and the health care cost reduction it will offer. Surely that will go a long way in them digging hard into their pockets.

What do you think?

Remo Aguilar

Hi, I'm Dr. Remo Aguilar! I am an orthopedic surgeon, healthcare administrator and educator. My writing and speaking interest is in the intersection of healthcare, technology and education.I use all these learning to positively change people lives.

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