National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation: annual statistical report 2011

Source: National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR) and British Heart Foundation

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Date of publication:  October 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This is the fifth such annual audit of CR programmes and patient outcomes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is continued increased participation in CR programmes, although 3 out of every 5 eligible patients still do not access the service.  CR programmes are cost-effective in reducing cardiac mortality, promoting self-management and quality of life.  The evidence is increasing that CR also reduces unplanned hospital admissions,  potentially leading to considerable savings for the NHS.

Length of publication: 48 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR)

A 3-year lifestyle intervention for adults at moderate to high risk of cardiovascular disease

Source: Evidence-based medicine, 2011, 16 (3) p. 70-71

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Date of publication: June 2011

Publication type: Commentary

In a nutshell: This is a commentary on a previous article, which argued for increased resources for prevention in primary care through lifestyle changes, using cost-utility anyalsis for economic evaluation.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Tool for GPs predicts public health savings to NHS

Source: GPonline.com

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Date of publication: 4 July 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A toolkit has been developed by the National Social Marketing Centre, in conjunction with NICE and the Department of Health. It is designed to indicate the health gains and cost effectiveness of interventions such as those aiming to reducing levels of alcohol consumption, obesity, smoking, etc. 

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Statin treatment for primary prevention of vascular disease

Source: BMJ, 2011, 342 (7801) p.811

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Date of publication: April 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Cost-effectiveness analysis of daily treatment of low-dose statins for primary prevention of vascular disease based in the Netherlands, including current prices and the cost of non-adherence. Calculations showed that statins for primary prevention did not seem to be cost-effective in populations at low risk of vascular disease. Adherence to statin treatment needs to be improved.

Length of publication: 9 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Investments that work for physical activity

Source: British Heart Foundation National Centre physical activity and health

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Seven evidence-based ‘best investments’ to increase population-wide participation in physical activity; the aim being to significantly reduce the risk from inactivity of various non-communicable diseases, including heart disease.

Length of publication: 1 web page plus associated document

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Global Advocacy for Physical Activity (GAPA)

National exercise proven to be cost effective in Wales

Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

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Date of publication: 16 November 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The Welsh National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) was introduced in 2007, replacing local schemes. Research and evaluation by Cardiff and Bangor universities shows it to be cost-effective in helping people reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as CVD.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Quality of life and cost-effectiveness of a 3-year trial of lifestyle intervention in primary health care

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, 13 September 2010, vol 170 no 16, pp 1470-1479

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This Swedish study of 151 patients over 3 years, demonstrated clear and cost-effective impact of group-based lifestyle interventions on quality of life (QOL) in patients at moderate to high risk of CVD. The researchers performed health economic evaluation, cost-utility analysis and cost-effectiveness using the net monetary benefit method.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Australian study shows how to get best value from preventive measures

Source: University of Queensland, School of Population Health

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The University of Queensland, Brisbane, and Deakin University, Melbourne, have published an evaluation of preventive measures to improve health. The Assessing Cost Effectiveness (ACE) of Prevention Study aims to provide governments with a blueprint for investment in cost-effective prevention and the reduction of wasteful spending. It argues that huge health gains could be achieved by taxing unhealthy foods, imposing higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol, and limiting levels of salt in food such as bread, cereals and margarine, among other recommendations.

Length of publication: 122 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Comparison of mass and targeted screening strategies for cardiovascular risk

Source: Heart, 2010, 96 (3), p. 208-212

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Date of publication: February, 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The Scottish Health Survey provided data on 3921 asymtomatic individuals between 40 and 74 years old. Five screening strategies were evaluated for their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in cardiovascular primary prevention. It was found that targeted screening was less costly than mass screening, and could identify up to 84% of high-risk individuals.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.