Increase Preventive Care
Health screening activities are conducted to detect health problems either to prevent the illness or to reduce complications from the illness.
- Adult Immunization - Annual flu vaccination recommendations include individuals at increased risk for complications from influenza (including adults aged 65 and older) and those aged 50 to 64, to reduce morbidity and mortality related to respiratory infections. One-time pneumonia vaccinations are recommended for individuals aged 65 and older and those at increased risk from pneumococcal disease or its complications. Older adults account for at least 90 percent of deaths attributed to influenza and pneumonia. 2 In 2002, 65.8 percent of adults aged 65 and older received the flu vaccine in the previous year and 56 percent received the pneumonia vaccine sometime in their life. 3
- Tobacco Use - In 2003, 21 percent of adults in the U.S. currently smoked; however, only nine percent of adults aged 65 and older currently smoked. 4 Smoking is a significant risk factor for most chronic diseases.
- Cholesterol Screening - Over 50 percent of adults had high cholesterol and 46 percent had high LDL cholesterol levels in 2002. 1 Over 80 percent of individuals with high blood cholesterol do not have it under control. Decreasing total blood cholesterol levels may reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease by as much as 30 percent. 5
- Breast Cancer Screening - Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. An estimated 211,240 new cases of breast cancer and 40,410 deaths are expected to occur in 2005. 6 Improvements in mammography have led to detection of early stage breast cancer and declines in breast cancer mortality rates by approximately two percent per year since 1991. 6,7
- Colorectal Cancer Screening - In 2005, approximately 104,950 new cases of colon cancer and 40,340 new cases of rectal cancer will occur. 8 Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and accounts for approximately 10 percent of cancer deaths. 8 Colorectal screening can identify cancers at early, treatable stages. CMS has named colorectal cancer screening as a breakthrough priority. 9
- Blood Pressure Measurement - Approximately 30 percent of the individuals with high blood pressure are unaware that their blood pressure is elevated because high blood pressure usually has no symptoms. An additional 28 percent of American adults have prehypertension. 1
The main objective of the Physician Office QIO Project is to improve quality of care by promoting early detection of clinical disorders and improving the treatment of existing clinical disorders. The Project meets this objective by encouraging physician practices to redesign processes, change office culture, implement health information technology, and report results.
References
- American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2005 Update. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association, 2005. Available at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3000090. Accessed June 21, 2005.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza - Clinical Description and Diagnosis. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis. Accessed June 13, 2005.
- Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans 2004: Key Indicators of Well-Being. Available at: http://www.agingstats.gov/chartbook2004. Access June 15, 2005.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cigarette Smoking among Adults - United States 2003, May 27, 2005. MMWR 2005:54(509-513).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke - Addressing the Nation's Leading Killers - at a Glance 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/aag/aag_cvd.htm. Accessed June 22, 2005.
- National Cancer Institute. Breast Cancer (PDQ): Screening Health Professional Version. 2005. Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/breast/healthprofessional/allpages. Accessed June 14, 2005.
- National Cancer Institute. Cancer Facts - Screening Mammograms: Questions and Answers. Available at http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/5_28.htm. Accessed June 13, 2005.
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2005. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2005. Available at http://www.cancer.org/downloads/stt/caff2005f4pwsecured.pdf. Accessed June 14, 2005.
- AHQA Matters, April 28, 2005.