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Cancer Screenings and Routine Care Drop During Public Health Emergency
A new report by Komodo Health shows that the number of routine medical screenings have plummeted during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The company, which has one of the country's largest medical claim's databases, provided data to Reuters for an article. Its analysis showed that all routine scans dropped dramatically and even more so in areas with large COVID-19 outbreaks. For example, nationally cervical cancer screenings were down 68%, cholesterol panels fell by 67%, and blood sugar tests to detect diabetes were down 65%. The diabetes result is particularly concerning as it is a potential risk factor in COVID-19 mortality.
The additional concern is that the delay in routine care will create a backlog - and additional delay - in receiving overdue care. An added complication is that many physician practices are struggling to stay open, and fewer offices mean fewer opportunities for care outside of a hospital. Many patients may need to turn to hospitals (already overburdened) to receive treatment they could have received with their primary care physician.
Public Health News
Cancer Screenings and Routine Care Drop During Public Health Emergency
A new report by Komodo Health shows that the number of routine medical screenings have plummeted during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The company, which has one of the country's largest medical claim's databases, provided data to Reuters for an article. Its analysis showed that all routine scans dropped dramatically and even more so in areas with large COVID-19 outbreaks. For example, nationally cervical cancer screenings were down 68%, cholesterol panels fell by 67%, and blood sugar tests to detect diabetes were down 65%. The diabetes result is particularly concerning as it is a potential risk factor in COVID-19 mortality.
The additional concern is that the delay in routine care will create a backlog - and additional delay - in receiving overdue care. An added complication is that many physician practices are struggling to stay open, and fewer offices mean fewer opportunities for care outside of a hospital. Many patients may need to turn to hospitals (already overburdened) to receive treatment they could have received with their primary care physician.
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