Frank A. Sloan

Benefits of Smoking Cessation for Longevity

OBJECTIVES This study determined the life extension obtained from stopping smoking at various ages. METHODS We estimated the relation between smoking and mortality among 877,243 respondents to the Cancer Prevention Study II. These estimates were applied to the 1990 US census population to examine the longevity benefits of smoking cessation. RESULTS Life expectancy among smokers who quit at age 35 exceeded that of continuing smokers by 6.9 to 8.5 years for men and 6.1 to 7.7 years for women. Smokers who quit at younger ages realized greater life extensions. However, even those who quit much later in life gained some benefits: among smokers who quit at age 65 years, men gained 1.4 to 2.0 years of life, and women gained 2.7 to 3.7 years. CONCLUSIONS Stopping smoking as early as possible is important, but cessation at any age provides meaningful life extensions.

How much are patients willing to pay to avoid postoperative nausea and vomiting

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are unpleasant experiences. However, there is no drug that is completely effective in preventing PONV. Whereas cost effectiveness analyses rely on specific health outcomes (e.g., years of life saved), cost-benefit analyses assess the cost and benefit of medical therapy in terms of dollars. We hypothesized that patients were willing to pay for a hypothetical new drug that would eliminate PONV. Eighty elective day surgical patients using general anesthesia participated in the study. After their recovery in the postanesthetic care unit, they were asked to complete an interactive computer questionnaire on demographics, the value of avoiding PONV, and their willingness to pay for an antiemetic. Patients were willing to pay US

Hospital Ownership and Cost and Quality of Care: is There a Dime's Worth of Difference?

56 (US

A comprehensive assessment of the cost of multiple sclerosis in the United States

26--US

Valuing health care : costs, benefits, and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and other medical technologies

97; median, 25%--75%) for an antiemetic that would completely prevent PONV. Patients who developed nausea (n = 21; 26%) and vomiting (n = 9; 11%) were willing to pay US

Longevity Expectations and Death: Can People Predict Their Own Demise?

73 (US

Physician participation in state Medicaid programs.

44--US

Does Assistive Technology Substitute for Personal Assistance Among the Disabled Elderly

110) and

The Growing Burden of Diabetes Mellitus in the US Elderly Population

100 (US

Adverse Selection, Bequests, Crowding Out, and Private Demand for Insurance: Evidence from the Long-term Care Insurance Market

61--US