Vaccination rates among adolescents and young adults, for whom the risk of infection is greatest, remain lower than was true for other vaccines in their first years. And vaccination rates among males is extremely low.
AMA J Ethics. 2015;17(9):854-857. doi:
10.1001/journalofethics.2015.17.9.msoc1-1509.
Specialty training in preventive medicine best equips physicians to address the population health challenges that confront U.S. and global health care in the 21st century.
Physicians should recognize that patients’ beliefs may cause them to have non-medical explanations for their illnesses and that shared explanations should be negotiated if treatment plans are to be successful.
Health care professionals have a responsibility to educate patients about public screening programs and ensure that subsequent follow-up is done after the screening is completed.