Enthusiasm Misplaced?

Abstract

Nursing journals have not reflected the abundant literature criticizing the National Cholesterol Education Program's goal to screen every adult American's cholesterol levels. Because this goal affects every nurse in professional, economic, and personal ways, it behooves nurses to consider the intensive debate that frames the benefits claimed for cholesterol screening. Issues raised by the debate may give nurses reason to question the program's goals. Once acquainted with inherent epidemiologic, methodologic, cost, and public policy issues, nurses may conclude there is insufficient scientific evidence to warrant cholesterol screening for the entire adult population. Rather, cholesterol screening may best be reserved for the relatively few Americans most likely to benefit from both screening and subsequent treatment.