Study shows effect on life expectancy of greater spending on treatment

doi:10.1136/bmj.39451.695775.DB

BMJ 2008;336:64 (12 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.39451.695775.DB

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Study shows effect on life expectancy of greater spending on treatment

Roger Dobson

¹ Abergavenny

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Every extra £13 000 ( ${euro}$ 17 500; $25 700) spent each yearper patient in England on cancer treatment extends an individuallife by one year. And for each patient with a circulatory diseasean additional £8000 is enough to increase average lifeexpectancy by 12 months.

These are among the findings of a new health economics study(Journal of Health Economics doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2007.12.002).

"These results challenge the widely held view that healthcarespending has little marginal impact on health," said Peter Smith,one of the authors, from the Centre for Health Economics atthe University of York. "Our estimates suggest that, relativeto received wisdom, the marginal cost of a life year saved isquite low."

The economists say that one of the most important and unresolvedissues in health policy is quantifying how much is producedby additional spending on health care in terms of improved . . . [Full text of this article]

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