Prevention in Clinical Practice

Prevention of disease and injury, including early identification of risks and disease and optimal control of potentially debilitating or fatal complications of chronic conditions, is the area of clinical medicine that holds the greatest promise for improving human health. Each year a long list of major, but potentially preventable health problems exacts a terrible human and financial toll. These problems urgently need our attention, especially as major advances in curative medicine become more complex and costly. Prevention of disease and injury may well be the central health issue of our time, an issue of vital concern to every quarter of our society. Now is a very good time to promote prevention. Citizens and some social groups are increasingly aware of and interested in health and fitness issues. There is great enthusiasm about-even obsession with-health, and we are seeing an astonishing proliferation of health publications and media presentations for laymen, fitness and weight control cen­ ters, exercise programs, health food stores, disease support groups, health education programs, and do-it-yourself diagnostic kits. All of this betokens an increased health consciousness on the part of public and perhaps signals greater individual accountability for health. Front Matter....Pages i-xxv Patterns of Illness and Medical Practice in the United States....Pages 1-12 History of Preventive Medicine....Pages 13-21 Screening for Early Disease Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests....Pages 23-37 Adult Immunization....Pages 39-48 Antimicrobial Prophylaxis....Pages 49-63 Hepatitis....Pages 65-79 Streptococcal Pharyngitis....Pages 81-96 Tuberculosis....Pages 97-119 Sexually Transmitted Diseases....Pages 121-135 AIDS....Pages 137-152 Coronary Artery Disease....Pages 153-164 Diabetes....Pages 165-177 Hypertension....Pages 179-200 Thromboembolism....Pages 201-218 Nephrolithiasis....Pages 219-229 Cancer....Pages 231-252 Stroke....Pages 253-268 Osteoporosis....Pages 269-275 Preventable Visual Loss....Pages 277-285 Health Advice for International Travelers....Pages 287-305 Occupational Medicine....Pages 307-329 Nutrition....Pages 331-364 Smoking....Pages 365-391 Mental Disorders....Pages 393-405 Alcoholism and Drug Abuse....Pages 407-418 Periodic Health Examination....Pages 419-434 Back Matter....Pages 435-442