Preventative health care
Preventive health care is something our society is lacking and would be beneficial. DeRenzo et al., (2014) suggests a new form of care called prospective healthcare where personalized risk prediction and strategic healthcare planning takes place. Advanced genetic testing would be done, providing diet therapies to prevent complications and reduce social costs of possible drug therapy. A study that I believe to be beneficial would include preventative healthcare that is freely provided to its members at a young age. Of course this would be a trail that would take many years to see its results. I would be interested to see the health outcomes of these individuals compared to those who haven't practiced preventative measures. This study could help determine not only health care outcomes, but also health care spending. Would our country benefit more from offering preventive health care options, versus the method of treating problems like we do now? The study would have to include members in different areas of the country to determine if environmental factors have an impact. A variety of ethnicities would also be chosen with comparable age relationship and current health status. Genetic factors would also be considered to see how preventative measures impact the individual's health outcome. Practitioners trained similarly would be placed in the determined areas with basic protocols to follow along with updating and reviewing patients progression. A team will be in place to analyze the data and comparing it as it comes in and relating the findings to each practitioner as needed. The insurance companies would not like this idea, but the government and society could benefit greatly if medical costs are reduced and we have a healthier nation of working individuals.
Our society has become used to treating a problem after it has occurred and insurance companies mainly cover conditions that have arisen and not preventive measures. Genetic research is vital in prevention and treatment of many diseases, but there are always environmental and other factors that play a role. Many genetic mutations have arisen from trying to adapt to its environment, some mutations that can aid in the prevention of certain diseases, but researchers have yet to figure out why many others occur. The findings of these studies addressed the issues associated with determining the results of having a MTHFR mutation. There are many other mutations or changes in genes that can all have relationships with each other. Each person is different and have different genetics, which is why one thing might not work for everyone. Many studies on MTHFR have varying results of those with the mutation and how they react to treatment. I believe that 50% of the population has a genetic mutation of MTHFR whether it be heterozygous or homozygous. One study claims the frequency of the C677T polymorphism of MTHFR in the Caucasian population is 12% homozygous and up to 50% heterozygous 2. As you can see from my findings, many different diseases and problems can arise from having this polymorphism. Treatment has not been standardized for each individual's polymorphisms and environmental factors, many times a "trial and error" approach has been taken, as many react differently to supplements.