The role of prevention in health reform

Article Abstract:

Prevention may not be the most cost-effective way to reduce health care spending. Many studies on cost-effectiveness show that preventive care raises health care spending. For example, analysis of the cost of screening tests for cervical cancer shows that testing every three years costs $22,000 for every year of life that is saved. Screening every two years raises the cost to $440,000 for each year of life saved. This is because cervical cancer progresses slowly so only a few more cases are detected with more frequent screening. The same is true of drug treatment for high blood pressure. The most cost-effective drug for high blood pressure costs $16,000 per year of life saved, but the reduction in the number of heart attacks and strokes is only 1/4 the cost of drug therapy. Those that desire to reform the health care system should ensure that services that deliver the most health for the amount of money spent should be the highest priority. They should also ensure that care provided is scientifically proven to be effective.

Health care reform

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Reducing health care costs by reducing the need and demand for medical services

Article Abstract:

Health care costs may be significantly lowered by developing programs that emphasize health promotion and preventive care. The definition of health promotion must include cost control as one component of the program. Approximately 70% of illnesses are preventable. Consumer education can lead to increased self-management of health problems that do not require a doctor's care. Educational guidelines can provide information on when to seek outside help and when home treatment might be suitable. Preventive care strategies should include lowering the number of low-birth-weight babies born. Living wills or durable power of attorney can ensure humane and less expensive care at the end of life. The promotion of good health in the workplace can also lead to lowered medical costs. The costs of developing health promotion and preventive programs should be borne by those who will profit from the savings: employers, insurance companies and the government.

Social aspects

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Prevention and Medicare costs

Article Abstract:

Research is needed to find more cost-effective preventive care or risk factors that can be modified cheaply. Preventive care involves treating people with risk factors for a disease before they develop symptoms of the disease. However, some preventive treatments are expensive and may not be cost-effective. A 1998 study found that Medicare beneficiaries who had no risk factors for cardiovascular disease incurred lower health care costs than those who did. But the researchers did not include a cost estimate of the preventive treatments needed for the people with risk factors.

Analysis, Cardiovascular diseases, Risk factors

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