Prevention Saves Money? Sometimes Yes; Sometimes No

Think Preventive Medicine Will Save Money?  Think Again By Sharon Begley.  Reuters.  January 29, 2013.

Among the preventative measures that do save money are childhood immunizations and counseling adults to use baby aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease.  Benefit greatly outweighs costs and therefore the measures save money.  On the other hand, the annual physical does not lower risk of serious illness or premature death according to a 2012 study.  Often the cost of prevention, say a preventative screening,  outweighs any potential benefit, for example, lives saved.   The article explores strategies to make prevention work including use of sites outside clinical settings and targeting those most likely to suffer a condition for screening.