Why this journal exists

Most people assume a thorough check-up makes them healthier. The largest systematic review on general health checks, covering more than 250,000 participants, found no reduction in overall mortality. At the same time, commercial check-ups and longevity clinics keep adding tests with little or no evidence behind them.

Between "too little" and "far too much" there is a sensible middle: a targeted baseline, further tests guided by individual risk, and the courage to leave out what does not help. That middle is what this journal describes.

Health Detectors started as the design for an evidence-based prevention programme. The framework behind it, with evidence grades, a core panel, risk-based modules and a clear list of what to skip, turned out to be more useful as public knowledge than as a product. It is published here for anyone who wants to make better decisions about their own prevention.

How articles are written

  • Primary sources. Every article cites the studies and guidelines it relies on.
  • Evidence grades. Recommendations are labelled high, moderate, emerging or not recommended.
  • Uncertainty is named. Where studies disagree or are missing, the article says so.
  • No commercial interests. No advertising, sponsors, affiliate links, products or paid placements.
  • Corrections. If you find an error, please write to info@healthdetectors.io. Substantive corrections are noted in the article.

What this journal is not

Health Detectors does not offer examinations, consultations or referrals and does not recommend specific practices or clinics. The articles are general information and cannot replace a conversation with your own physician.

The editor

Prof. Dr. med. Markus Guba is a general and visceral surgeon at LMU University Hospital Munich. His clinical focus is surgery of the liver, pancreas and bile ducts, together with complex abdominal cancer operations such as for sarcomas. As a transplant surgeon he performs liver, kidney, pancreas and small-bowel transplants.

He heads Liver Surgery and Transplantation in the Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery. The Munich programme is one of the larger liver transplant centres in Germany and includes living-donor liver transplantation and transplantation in children. He also heads the Liver Cancer Centre of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Munich and chairs the Eurotransplant Council of Medicine and Science.

He edits Health Detectors in a private capacity. The views expressed are his own and do not represent his employer.

Essay: What I see differently about prevention as a surgeon →