One of the main purposes of medical cost-benefit analyses isto define the rational priorities in health care. This bookambitiously undertakes to compare the cost-benefit analysesof three countries: the United States, Germany and Israel.Cardiovascular disease is focused on to provide a model casestudy, but other areas also provide examples. The contribu-tions consider in particular two recent developments. Theseare the increase in comprehensive epidemiological data, es-pecially with regards to risk factors, and improved methodo-logy for measuring the quality of life. The contributionsstem from clinicians, epidemiologists and health economistswho give an overall picture of these complex issues and theprospects for the future.

One of the main purposes of medical cost-benefit analyses isto define the rational priorities in health care. This bookambitiously undertakes to compare the cost-benefit analysesof three countries: the United States, Germany and Israel.Cardiovascular disease is focused on to provide a model casestudy, but other areas also provide examples. The contribu-tions consider in particular two recent developments. Theseare the increase in comprehensive epidemiological data, es-pecially with regards to risk factors, and improved methodo-logy for measuring the quality of life. The contributionsstem from clinicians, epidemiologists and health economistswho give an overall picture of these complex issues and theprospects for the future.