Screening for risk factors as a component of a chronic disease prevention program for youth.

Screening for risk factors within the framework of a chronic disease prevention program for youth can enhance both the educational and evaluative impact of the program. Screening results can provide the focus for curriculum development and the impetus for health-related behavior change. Program evaluation is facilitated by the use of screening results as objective outcome data regarding health status. The implementation of medical screening as a component of a chronic disease prevention program is described, and issues related to educational and evaluative impact are discussed.