HEALTH NEWS

Will the operation divert resources from other measures that are likely to be more effective? What other ways are there of addressing the problem that do not involve screening ? are these better? Will the screening operation divert health workers attention from more crucial efforts addressing the principal health problems of the population ? will it accomplish little but create the impression among the public that their problems are being dealt with and divert their attention from issues of higher priority ? In order to answer these questions , the costs and benefits of the proposed screening and intervention activities must be weighed against those of alternative strategies, taking into account both direct and indirect, as well as immediate and future , benefits . When planned thoughtfully and implemented in a population-based fashion, screening can provide a rational bases for resource allocation. it can be used to ensure that preventive measures are applied where they will have

Essential questions to ask in considering this criterion are : will the screening and – timely –intervention operation tend to increase equity in the allocation of health resources ? is it likely to result in improved health status for those in greatest need? which population groups are most likely to benefit from screening activities for asymptomatic individuals? Especially where large population groups, rural populations, or poor populations on the urban periphery, do not have access to basic health and education services , a decision to conduct screening for an asymptomatic condition is likely to increase disparities between the covered and uncovered populations in terms of the utilization of health services. Screening for asymptomatic conditions in likely to attract the more highly educated, who are also those with greater access to places where screening is performed . further more , screening will result in abnormal findings for some individuals; this will entail additional re