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Population-based screening or case detection for asthma: are we ready?
Leslie P Boss1, Lani S M Wheeler, Paul V Williams
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. lpb1@cdc.gov
Summary
Population-based screening for asthma is not yet proven effective. Further research is needed before widespread asthma screening programs can be recommended. Ensuring appropriate medical care for diagnosed asthma patients is a current priority.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asthma is a common respiratory condition with available treatments.
- Reducing the burden of asthma in the United States is a public health goal.
- Population-based screening is a potential strategy for early asthma detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the readiness for population-based asthma screening and case detection programs.
- To evaluate current asthma screening activities against World Health Organization criteria.
- To determine the current utility and future research needs for asthma screening.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and public health initiatives for asthma.
- Assessment of current asthma screening practices.
- Comparison of asthma screening programs with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for screening.
Main Results:
- Several World Health Organization criteria for effective screening programs are not currently met for asthma.
- The benefit of population-based asthma screening and case detection is unproven.
- Current evidence does not support widespread implementation of asthma screening programs.
Conclusions:
- Population-based screening for asthma requires further research to establish its benefit.
- Focus should remain on ensuring appropriate medical care for individuals already diagnosed with asthma.
- Current asthma screening strategies may not be cost-effective or beneficial at a population level.