Inhaltsangabe:Abstract: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Rarely are there any objections to this old proverb. Its significance is underscored by the fact that the Major causes of death today are the degenerative, chronic diseases of civilization. Abundant evidence has been accumulated that these diseases can often be prevented. However, the appeal of prevention lies not only in its ability to reduce suffering from disease but also in its assumed power to reduce the costs of health care. At first sight it appears that promoting health and preventing disease would easily rehabilitate the health care system, granting prevention a prominent spot an the health policy agenda. For example in Germany, prevention in the form of health check-ups was introduced to the catalogue of services to be offered by health insurance companies in 1989. Yet, concerns have been raised that prevention may not reduce but rather add to the costs of health care. Especially in the case of prevention of chronic diseases, death or sickness can only be postponed but never avoided. Thus, a careful analysis of all the effects of preventive measures is necessary to assess their full economic consequences. Cardiovascular diseases, primarily coronary artery disease and stroke, account for the majority of deaths in industrialized countries. In the United States these diseases kill nearly as many Americans as all other diseases combined and are also among the leading causes of disability. The aggregate cost of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the United States is enormous, costing the country between 50 and 100 billion dollars per year for medical treatment and lost wages. Nonetheless, over the past two decades, the mortality from cardiovascular disease has declined dramatically: 40 per-cent for coronary artery disease. Major contributions to this decline came from risk factor reduction and changes in lifestyles. Moreover, new technology, improved pharmacology as well as better surgical techniques contributed to this decline. Risk factor reduction and changes in lifestyle are preventive measures in coronary artery disease with a straightforward appeal. Preventing the disease not only means avoiding the pain and suffering of the individual but also avoiding the risk of irreversible consequences and permanent damage. In addition to these obvious benefits, the costs of many preventive measures, for example screening tests, appear to be very small. Nevertheless, the [...]

This second editionis a ground-breaking clinical text with a strong emphasis on rigorous evidence. Leaders in the field discuss best practice in the light of systematic reviews and randomised control trials, and how best to treat where the information is less clear. Case histories provide intriguing discussions on how to apply the evidence in real life situations. Evidence-based Cardiology also includes free access to the latest evidence, which is automatically posted on a companion website.

This chapter emphasizes the importance of health policy and its implementation and connection to economic growth. The chapter also offers a different view of progress in the provision of better health facilities. The study looks at today’s health systems—the amalgam of people, practices, rules, and institutions that serve the health needs of a population—and at the economics behind them. The role good health plays in individuals’ and households’ ability to rise and remain above the poverty line is stressed. Several health reports are presented.

This book is a timely and thorough review of prevention, lifestyle counseling and rehabilitation for cardiologists and all physicians and other health professionals in cardiac rehabilitation teams. The Editors have gathered over 60 experts from all parts of the globe. Each highlights the role of cardiac rehabilitation and preventative cardiology from exercise testing and training, through nutrition, smoking cessation, behavioral and social support to adapted programs for newer groups with specific demands. The book emphasizes the organizational aspects of cardiac rehabilitation, including quality assurance and economic evaluation.

Vols. for 1963- include as pt. 2 of the Jan. issue: Medical subject headings.

Designed to foster a stronger awareness and exploration of the subject by practicing clinicians, medical researchers and scientists, The Clinical Nanomedicine Handbook discusses the integration of nanotechnology, biology, and medicine from a clinical point of view. The book highlights relevant research and applications by specialty; it examines nan

Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Global Challenge, Second Edition provides an in-depth examination of epidemiologic research and prevention measures for the full range of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This authoritative text on the world's leading causes of death describes in detail the nature of atherosclerotic and hypertensive diseases--including their determinants, prevention and control, as well as policies for intervention in community and clinical settings. This Second Edition is fully updated, more extensively referenced and expanded to include new information about the public health dimensions of CVD prevention, exploring the basis of public health decisions and the process by which decision-making bodies develop guidelines and recommendations.Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Global Challenge, Second Edition is the essential text for any student or practitioner concerned with global cardiovascular health.

An illuminating and timely synthesis of methodological and clinical studies showing how medical costs can be established, how the value of clinical outcomes can be assessed, and how difficult choices can be rationally made. The methodological chapters review the conceptual and practical issues involved in estimating and interpreting health care costs, making health status and utility assessments, and statistically analyzing cost-effectiveness and clinical trials. The clinical chapters apply these methods to the major clinical areas of cardiology-primary prevention of coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, angioplasty vs coronary bypass surgery, CABG vs medicine, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac surgery. Additional chapters consider the use of economic studies for policy purposes and the future of Medicare under a balanced budget in an aging America.