Wellness assessment: A role for laboratory medicine

Within the next 20-25 years, 20% of the U.S. population is expected to be 6 5 years old or older. Unless significant changes are made (ie, increased re search, improved treatment, and promotion of health and disease prevention) , medical costs will continue to rise but with fewer citizens to finance th em. 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 th ese 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 o f laboratory tests, combined with age, sex, family history, body mass index , blood pressure, and information regarding lifestyle (diet, exercise, smok ing, alcohol), an estimate can be made regarding the relative risk for deve loping the major diseases/disorders, If recommendations are followed, these conditions will decline, medical costs will be reduced, and people will en joy longer, healthier, and more productive lives.