TABLE 15.3.
Examples of High-Tech and Low-Tech Health Problem Solving
| Problem | High Tech | Low Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Birth defects | Surgical repairs, rehabilitation | Folic acid fortification of flour, vitamin supplementation before and during pregnancy |
| Infectious diseases | Treatment – antibiotics | Vaccination, sanitation, handwashing, infection control in hospitals, health facilities, and nursing homes |
| Breast cancer | Screening – mammography | Nutrition, self-examination, routine medical examination |
| Colon cancer screening | Colonoscopy | Nutrition, vitamin D supplements; fecal occult blood testing |
| Acute myocardial infarction, primary, secondary prevention | Coronary angioplasty, stent, bypass surgery, heat transplantation | Antiplatelet thrombosis treatment (e.g., aspirin, intravenous streptokinase, beta-blocker); rehabilitation; diet, exercise, smoking cessation |
| Gallstones | Lithotripter, abdominal cholecystectomy | Endoscopic surgical removal |
| Head injuries | Intensive care | Helmets for bicycle riders and motorcyclists, seat belts in front and rear of motor vehicles |
| Thalassemia | Transfusions, chelating agents; prenatal diagnosis, amniocentesis, chorionic villus biopsy | Screening, education, counseling |
| Dehydration | Infusions | Oral rehydration |
| Neural tube defects | Surgery, pregnancy termination | Folic acid fortification of flour and grain products, supplements for women of fertile age |
| Liver cirrhosis, liver failure, cancer | Liver transplant | Hepatitis B vaccine, risk reduction activities among intravenous drug users, screening blood donors |
| Cancer of stomach | Surgery, chemotherapy | Dietary change, cure of Helicobacter pylori-generated gastric ulcers |
| Cancer of cervix | Pap smear screening; visual inspection and cryotherapy; human papillomavirus vaccine |