A consumer advocacy group today urged Mercy Health, which operates five hospitals in Greater Cincinnati, to end its partnership with a company that offers heart screenings and other tests out of vans at groceries, churches and other popular spots.
Public Citizen, which is based in Washington, said the tests for symptoms that could lead to heart attacks and strokes were 'unethical, mislead consumers (and) do more harm than good.'
The screenings are heavily promoted to people who don't show symptoms that would indicate a need for such tests and aren't at significant risk, Public Citizen claimed.
'For many people, false-positive test results from this screening lead to unfounded anxiety and additional unnecessary, risky and costly diagnostic procedures and treatment interventions,' Public Citizen claimed.
Nanette Bentley, a spokeswoman for Mercy Health, acknowledged that the health system partners with HealthFair to offer such tests.
'Health screenings can be a lifesaving tool,' Bentley said in an emailed response to a request for comment from the Business Courier. 'Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association.'
The group sent letters to Mercy Health and officials at other hospitals in eight states, calling on each to end their relationship with HealthFair Health Screening.
'HealthFair seeks to scare individuals ... into undergoing screening by using inappropriate direct-to-consumer advertising and solicitations that target consumer fear about having undetected, potentially life-threatening disease,' stated the letter. It was signed by three doctors affiliated with Public Citizen's Health Research Group: Christopher Gudas, a researcher; Michael Carome, director; and Sidney Wolfe, founder and senior adviser.
Brunsman covers Procter & Gamble Co. and health care.
