One of the main purposes of medical cost-benefit analyses is to define the rational priorities in health care. This book amibitiously undertakes to compare the cost-benefit analyses of three countries: the United States, Germany and Israel. Cardiovascular disease is focused on to provide a model case study, but other areas also provide examples. The contributions consider in particular two recent developments. These are the increase in comprehensive epidemiological data, especially with regard to risk factors, and improved methodology for measuring the quality of life. The contributions stem from clinicians, epidemiologists and health economists who give an overall picture of these complex issues and the prospects for the future.
Dem Leser dieses Buches wird ein Überblick zum Kosten-Leistungsverhältnis der Krankenversicherungssysteme der USA, Deutschlands und Israels vermittelt. Dazu wurden Fallstudien aus dem Bereich der kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen herangezogen.

I Introduction

Epidemiology and Economy, and the Appraisal of Human Life: Ethical and Practical Limitations of how to Value Health Benefits
II Concepts
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis and the Value of Life in Health Care and Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health Care: Opportunities and Challenges to International Comparisons
The Feasibility of Willingness-To-Pay Measurement in Health Services Research
The Willingness-To-Pay Approach: Caveats to Biased Application
III Experience
1. The Case of a Risk Factor: Hypertension
Attitude and Behaviour of Stuttgart's Primary Care Physicians with Regard to the Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Mild Hypertension
Comparisons of 1977 and 1987 Physician's Knowledge Survey - Implications on Cost and Hypertension Management
Evaluation of Cost-Effectiveness of Physician-Nurse Teams as Compared to Physicians Working alone in Primary Care Practices in Community Control of Hypertension
The Ashkelon Hypertension Detection and Control Program: Medical and Cost Implications
The Mangement of Hypertension: A Clinical Dilemma with Health Policy Implications
2. The Case of Clinical Disease
Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis: A Model Estimate of Cost and Benefit
Cost Considerations for the Management of End Stage Renal Disease in the United States
Medical Treatment and its Implications on Costs. An Analysis with Process Data from the German Statutory Health Insurance
IV The New Dimension: Quality of Life
Quality of Life: Methodological Key Issues
Towards the Integrated Measurement of Quality of Life
Quality of Life, Clinical Trials, and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Conceptual Issues with Hypertension as an Example
V Comments on the State of the Art
Noteson Economic Evaluation
Some Limitations in the Analysis of Costs and Benefits
Research Perspectives for the Future: International Cooperation in Comparing Costs and Benefits of the Best Demonstrated Practice in Health Care and Prevention.

Contents: Introduction

Concepts
Experience: 1. The Case of a Risk Factor: Hypertension. 2. The Case of Clinical Disease
The New Dimension: Quality of Life
Comments on the State of the Art.