Wellness assessment: A role for laboratory medicine

Within the next 20-25 years, 20% of the U.S. population is expected to be 65 years old or older. Unless significant changes are made (ie, increased research, improved treatment, and promotion of health and disease prevention), medical costs will continue to rise but with fewer citizens to finance them. However, this need not be the case. The 10 most common causes of death in the U.S. are all, to a significant degree, lifestyle-related. Most of these diseases take years or even decades to develop. By the time a physician makes a diagnosis, the disease is already present. However, with a panel of laboratory tests, combined with age, sex, family history, body mass index, blood pressure, and information regarding lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol), an estimate can be made regarding the relative risk for developing the major diseases/disorders. If recommendations are followed, these conditions will decline, medical costs will be reduced, and people will enjoy longer, healthier, and more productive lives.