Public health strategies to prevent the complications of hemochromatosis

Abstract This chapter reviews current knowledge about the natural history and genetics of hemochromatosis, and considers the implications for public health policy of a transition from enhanced case finding to universal screening. Enhanced case finding can be justified on the basis of current evidence, because a reasonable likelihood of benefit can be inferred when symptomatic individuals are treated. Thus, efforts to increase public and health care provider awareness of hemochromatosis are merited. The educational programs required to increase the early detection of hemochromatosis could also serve as a preparatory step in the development of universal screening programs. The strongest argument in favor of universal screening is the possibility that enhanced case finding will fail to detect affected individuals before irreversible complications of hemochromatosis occur.