US health care should focus on 20 areas to increase impact

To give Americans world class health care, the US government and private healthcare organisations should focus on 20 specific medical problems that could have the broadest impact on patients, families, and communities, including treatment of people with tobacco addiction and more aggressive management of obesity.

The report focuses many of its recommendations on improving care for patients with chronic health conditions. Other areas include evidence based cancer screening; preventing complications from the frailty associated with old age, such as falls and bedsores; and treatment of hypertension, immunisation, and depression. A further eight areas …