An Ounce of Prevention . . . Is Money in the Bank

An economic modeling analysis based on U.K. data adds to the growing evidence base supporting population-wide initiatives to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

According to some analyses, population-wide prevention strategies could save billions of dollars annually; however, the comparative cost-effectiveness of general and specific interventions is difficult to determine. Therefore, investigators built an economic model designed to assess the potential cost-effectiveness of a population-wide program in England and Wales that would reduce risk factors in order to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Primary outcomes were cardiovascular events avoided, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, and cost savings from cases prevented or postponed, making possible the estimation of amounts worth spending to accomplish specific goals.

The researchers estimated that compared with no intervention, a pro…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

An Ounce of Prevention . . . Is Money in the Bank

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Reviewing Author