Screening for chronic diseases in South Africa

Abstract

Screening for disease is one of the cornerstones of medicine and public health. A review of screening for chronic diseases in South Africa in an insured population, published in this issue of SAMJ, shows uptake to be low. In the majority of the population, who do not have private insurance but probably have the biggest burden of diseases, coverage is likely to be worse. As the country moves towards universal coverage of services under National Health Insurance, there are major questions to be resolved about the role that community-based screening for chronic diseases will play, and the priorities for services to be developed across the country.