Empowering Healthcare through Information: Examining the Role of Health Screening Policies

Abstract

Abstract: This article explores the role of health screening as a strategy within preventive primary healthcare, focusing on its potential to mitigate information asymmetry and improve health outcomes. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, pose a significant global health challenge, driven by behavioral risk factors such as unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and tobacco and alcohol use. Addressing these risk factors requires a shift towards preventive primary healthcare. Asymmetric information in healthcare markets inhibits effective decision-making and can lead to preventable morbidity and mortality. Health screening programs offer early detection of diseases and promote healthy behaviors, thus addressing information gaps and improving overall quality of life. By examining international experiences and initiatives, including those in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, valuable insights are derived for designing and implementing screening strategies at a national level in this article. In India, various organized screening programs target common NCDs and cancers, supported by initiatives like the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) and Ayushman Bharat Comprehensive Primary Health Care Programme. Despite these efforts, implementation challenges persist, including barriers faced by community health workers. It has been concluded that to optimize the effectiveness of health screening, policymakers and healthcare providers must address challenges such as low screening rates, overdiagnosis, and integration into primary care settings. Risk-stratified screening strategies, patient-centred care models, and leveraging technology can enhance screening uptake and follow-up care. Additionally, understanding cultural and socio-economic influences on individuals' perceptions of health screening is crucial for designing inclusive and effective screening programs. Balancing the benefits and harms of screening is essential to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based guidelines and personalized approaches. Overall, integrating health screening into comprehensive primary healthcare is vital for addressing the growing burden of NCDs and promoting population health.