American Medical Association (AMA) officials have expressed disappointment concerning the final recommendations released earlier this week by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on diabetes screening.
“While the AMA was supportive of the task force’s draft recommendations put forth one year ago that called for screening all individuals at high risk for diabetes, the final recommendations fall far short of meeting the needs of the American people who are suffering an epidemic of undiagnosed pre-diabetes and diabetes," AMA President Steven J. Stack, M.D., said.
The final recommendations reduced the target population of those who should be screened for diabetes. AMA officials did not feel enough emphasis was placed on the young and minority populations.
"The AMA believes that this will only create a greater barrier to reaching the 86 million American adults currently living with pre-diabetes, who are at high risk of developing diabetes," Stack said. "The AMA is, however, very encouraged that the USPSTF is recognizing the value of intensive lifestyle interventions for people with pre-diabetes."
The AMA encourages physicians to screen all at-risk patients, including those under age 40, in order to identify those with pre-diabetes and refer them to the NDPP.
