"Especially during a time of economic recession, it is important to have an informed discussion about the issues surrounding the value and cost-effectiveness of our country's investment in prevention," said Alan Mertz, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association. "It seems clear from the National Journal summit that taking a broad view of prevention and employing diagnostics in the early identification and management of disease can help flip the health care spending equation long term."

Mertz pointed to many low-cost lab tests that identify and can often control costly and damaging conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer

"The value of prevention must be counted on both economic and human dimensions," added David Mongillo, ACLA Vice President of Medical Affairs, "and summit participants emphasized this aspect in their discussion. They found that prevention “ especially workplace health promotion and wellness programs “ often can result in better health for individuals and actual cost savings, too."

SOURCE American Clinical Laboratory Association