Abstract
This book is a must-have for anyone wanting to be empowered with up-to-date information to stay healthy. In an easy-to-understand manner, the author deciphers the complex issues of prevention, paving the way for “shared responsibility” for medical decisions. The reader is given the right amount of medical facts so as to inform but not overwhelm. The introduction (Part I) is exceptionally well written and introduces the lay person to the world of preventive medicine, providing simple explanations for difficult concepts, including defining preventive services, explaining sensitivity and specificity of medical tests, and shifting one’s notion from the “sick care” model to the “health care” model. Dr Nundy connects with the reader in acknowledging firmly held beliefs such as “I don’t want to know if I’m sick.” He refutes this belief by convincingly informing his readers that there are many diseases for which screening makes a difference, either by preventing disease or by reducing mortality. In fact, his book includes only recommendations for which there is proven effectiveness. Part II of his book, “Healthy Checks Guidelines,” presents easy-to-read checklists based on one’s age group and gender. Each recommendation in the checklist is referenced to a chapter in Part III, titled “Preventive Services Explained.” Dr Nundy does a marvelous job explaining each disease or condition, the rationale behind the screening recommendation, and what is involved for the patient, including details of how the screening test is performed and its risks and benefits. Understanding the complex world of health prevention is within every reader’s reach. This is a book that all family members will want to peruse and discuss. Health care providers should have a copy or two in their waiting rooms and certainly a copy on their own coffee table.