One of the main purposes of medical cost-benefit analyses is
to define the rational priorities in health care. This book
ambitiously 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 contribu-
tions consider in particular two recent developments. These
are the increase in comprehensive epidemiological data, es-
pecially with regards to risk factors, and improved methodo-
logy 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.