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Biomedical subjects

J M McGinnis

Publications and source records attributed to J M McGinnis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Priorities among recommended clinical preventive services.

BACKGROUND: Many recommended clinical preventive services are delivered at low rates. Decision-makers who wish to improve delivery rates, but face competing demands for finite resources, need information on the relative value of these services. This article describes the results of a systematic assessment of the value of clinical preventive services recommended for average-risk patients by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. METHODS: The assessment of services' value for the U.S. population was based on two dimensions: burden of disease prevented by each service and cost effectiveness. Methods were developed for measuring these criteria consistently across different types of services. A companion article describes the methods in greater detail. Each service received 1 to 5 points on each of the two dimensions, for total scores ranging from 2 to 10. Priority opportunities for improving delivery rates were determined by comparing the ranking of services with what is known of current delivery rates nationally. RESULTS: The highest ranked services (scores of 7+) with the lowest delivery rates (< or =50% nationally) are providing tobacco cessation counseling to adults, screening older adults for undetected vision impairments, offering adolescents an anti-tobacco message or advice to quit, counseling adolescents on alcohol and drug abstinence, screening adults for colorectal cancer, screening young women for chlamydial infection, screening adults for problem drinking, and vaccinating older adults against pneumococcal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Decision-makers can use the results to set their own priorities for increasing delivery of clinical preventive services. The methods provide a basis for future priority-setting efforts.

Adult↗

Methods for priority setting among clinical preventive services.

Methods used to compare the value of clinical preventive services based on two criteria-clinically preventable burden (CPB) and cost effectiveness (CE)-are described. A companion article provides rankings of clinical preventive services and discusses its uses for decision-makers; this article focuses on the methods, challenges faced, and solutions. The authors considered all types of data essential to measuring CPB and CE for services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and developed methods essential to ensuring valid comparisons of different services' relative value.

Bias↗

Prevention research and its interface with policy: defining the terms and challenges.

The United States has led the way in the development of new insights into the detection, treatment, and prevention of disease. Not only has the Nation's research community ushered in the virtual elimination of nutrient deficiency diseases, dramatic reductions in childhood vaccine-preventable diseases, and impressive gains against heart disease and stroke, it has also been at the forefront of basic research in genetics and molecular biology and the development of important diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. With health care reform comes an opportunity to build upon and strengthen the positive features of the Nation's health system, including health research--in particular, research that fosters the prevention of health problems and a better informed application of medical services.

Health Policy↗

Actual causes of death in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify the major external (nongenetic) factors that contribute to death in the United States. DATA SOURCES: Articles published between 1977 and 1993 were identified through MEDLINE searches, reference citations, and expert consultation. Government reports and complications of vital statistics and surveillance data were also obtained. STUDY SELECTION: Sources selected were those that were often cited and those that indicated a quantitative assessment of the relative contributions of various factors to mortality and morbidity. DATA EXTRACTION: Data used were those for which specific methodological assumptions were stated. A table quantifying the contributions of leading factors was constructed using actual counts, generally accepted estimates, and calculated estimates that were developed by summing various individual estimates and correcting to avoid double counting. For the factors of greatest complexity and uncertainty (diet and activity patterns and toxic agents), a conservative approach was taken by choosing the lower boundaries of the various estimates. DATA SYNTHESIS: The most prominent contributors to mortality in the United States in 1990 were tobacco (an estimated 400,000 deaths), diet and activity patterns (300,000), alcohol (100,000), microbial agents (90,000), toxic agents (60,000), firearms (35,000), sexual behavior (30,000), motor vehicles (25,000), and illicit use of drugs (20,000). Socioeconomic status and access to medical care are also important contributors, but difficult to quantify independent of the other factors cited. Because the studies reviewed used different approaches to derive estimates, the stated numbers should be viewed as first approximations. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of all deaths that occurred in 1990 could be attributed to the factors identified. Although no attempt was made to further quantify the impact of these factors on morbidity and quality of life, the public health burden they impose is considerable and offers guidance for shaping health policy priorities.

Accidents, Traffic↗

The year 2000 initiative: implications for comprehensive school health.

Implementing comprehensive school health programs presents one of our nation's key challenges for the 1990s and beyond. Whether we are talking about Goals 2000 or Healthy People 2000, we will meet the challenge only through the combined efforts of the education and health sectors working as partners at the national, state, and community levels and, perhaps most importantly, at the level of the individual elementary and secondary schools.

Adolescent↗

Objectives for the year 2000.

The Healthy People 2000 initiative challenges the United States to improve the health profile of Americans through a prevention agenda targeting improvements in health status and health service delivery and reduction of risk for disease and disability. Clinical laboratories play an important role in achieving these national health goals and objectives. Many specific objectives directly target improved laboratory services, whereas others are fundamentally dependent on access to better laboratory services. The effectiveness of preventive services (i.e., screening tests, immunizations, and counseling) in reducing morbidity and mortality is well documented. In addition to ensuring quality laboratory services through accurate and reliable screening tests, a unique challenge for clinical laboratories is meeting the critical need for improving communication of complete and necessary laboratory information among laboratories, providers, and patients to enhance patient counseling. The challenges facing clinical laboratories as we approach the year 2000 are complex, but the commitment of the laboratory community is essential.

Delivery of Health Care↗

Health objectives for the nation.

National health objectives challenge the nation to improve the health of Americans through a coordinated and comprehensive emphasis on prevention. Substantial progress has been made toward achieving 1990 goals established with the 1979 Surgeon General's Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, entitled Healthy People. Still the nation is falling short of its full potential. Development of the year 2000 objectives used the experiences of the previous decade to create an agenda for the future, and has been broader in its focus and scope of participation. Healthy People 2000 sets three broad goals: increase the span of healthy life for Americans, reduce health disparities among Americans, and achieve access to preventive services for all Americans. Achievement of these goals and the 300 specific objectives calls for individualized and collective action.

Forecasting↗