June 2020
Article
Nature Biotechnology

Overcoming Barriers to Early Disease Intervention

By: H. Hugo Caicedo, Daniel A. Hashimoto, Julio C. Caicedo, Alex Pentland and Gary P. Pisano

Format:Print

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that earlier intervention in many disease processes leads to better patient outcomes and lower treatment costs. To date, most efforts at early disease intervention have focused on "primary prevention" which focuses on preventing diseases in the general population through vaccines, lifestyle interventions, and better access to care. In this article, we examine an emerging approach known as "secondary prevention" which focuses on higher-risk individuals or individuals in the earliest stages of disease progression. Secondary prevention can likewise lead to better patient outcomes and lower treatment costs. This article examines the chief scientific, logistical, and economic barriers to secondary prevention and suggests means for overcoming these.

Keywords

Secondary Prevention; Barriers To Response; Health Disorders; Health Care and Treatment

Citation

Caicedo, H. Hugo, Daniel A. Hashimoto, Julio C. Caicedo, Alex Pentland, and Gary P. Pisano. "Overcoming Barriers to Early Disease Intervention." Nature Biotechnology 38, no. 6 (June 2020).