Methods Inf Med 2002; 41(03): 224-229
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1634440
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Vicissitudes of Preventive Medicine and a New Challenge

M. F. Collen
1   Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Oakland, CA, USA
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
08. Februar 2018 (online)

Preview

Summary

Objectives: 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.

Conclusion: 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.