More than one in every 20 Americans of all ages and races have asthma. It is a major cause of emergency care visits, hospitalizations, and days lost from work and school. It is assumed that many people who have asthma have not been diagnosed or, if diagnosed, are not properly treated, and that appropriate diagnosis and treatment would be beneficial to them. Screening the population for asthma is seen as a potential answer to this question, and it is being implemented in many locations across the country. This presentation assesses the appropriateness of that approach. In 1968 the World Health Organization developed 10 criteria for population screening. These criteria, including assessment of the importance of the health problem, understanding the natural history of the disease, existence of a recognizable latent or early symptomatic stage, existence of an accepted treatment and agreed upon policy on treatment, existence of adequate facilities for diagnosis and treatment, existence of a suitable and acceptable screening test, and assurance of a mechanism of a continuous screening process, are necessary elements to address prior to implementing community-based screening programs. In addition, the benefit of the screening program based on some defined improved health outcome must be such that the cost is balanced in relation to other health and community needs. A discussion of each of these criteria leads us to conclude that community-based asthma screening is not appropriate at this time.
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the criteria by which public health screening programs should be assessed. Participants will understand why population-based asthma screening is not appropriate at this time
Keywords: Asthma, Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.