A central task in the field of health status measurement involves eliciting valuations for health states. When these valuations are then used in estimating patient benefit as part of a cost-utility analysis, a key issue is how the duration of a health state affects its value. Previous studies...

The methodology of valuing health states remains a key issue in the construction of health-related quality of life measures. Different scaling methods appear to yield different sets of valuations, and as yet there is no consensus as to which method is the preferred technique. Many of the...

QALYs (quality adjusted life years) represent a powerful addition to the range of evaluative techniques for use in assessing the impact of health care. In the past, such benefits have been portrayed in terms of their contribution to life expectancy. The ability to adjust for quality of life is...

The growing realisation that the benzodiazepines have potential for causing serious harm has caused concern due to their wide and common use. This has stimulated interest in the costs and benefits of their use. This paper is a review of the adverse effects of benzodiazepines, and concentrates on...

In 1992, the Measurement and Valuation of Health (MVH) Group at the Centre for Health Economics conducted a study with Social and Community Planning Research (SCPR) comparing different methods of valuing health states (Dolan et al, 1993). A random sample of 335 members of the general population...

In 1992, the Measurement and Valuation of Health (MVH) Group at the Centre for Health Economics conducted a study with Social and Community Planning Research (SCPR) comparing different methods of valuing health states (Dolan et al, 1993). A random sample of 335 members of the general population...

An important consideration when establishing priorities in health care is the likely effects that alternative allocations of resources will have on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This paper reports on the analysis of data from a study which elicited health state valuations (using the...

The measurement of health outcome is central to the evaluation of medical treatment and intervention. In the past, such measurement has been based on data relating to survival and life expectancy. There is now general acknowledgment that a through assessment of the benefits of health care must...

There is strong policy interest in monitoring trends on the prevalence of chronic diseases and disability rates, both nationally and internationally, in light of rising life expectancy and population ageing. However, international comparisons of health and disability survey data are difficult...