Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Download Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 0198838190
Total Pages : 385 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (988 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis by : Richard Cookson

Download or read book Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis written by Richard Cookson and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Distributional cost-effectiveness analysis aims to help healthcare and public health organizations make fairer decisions with better outcomes. It can provide information about equity in the distribution of costs and effects - who gains, who loses, and by how much - and the trade-offs that sometimes occur between equity and efficiency. This is a practical guide to methods for quantifying the equity impacts of health programmes in high, middle, and low-income countries. The methods can be tailored to analyse different equity concerns in different decision making contexts. The handbook provides both hands-on training for postgraduate students and analysts and an accessible guide for academics, practitioners, managers, policymakers, and stakeholders. Part I is an introduction and overview for research commissioners, users, and producers. Parts II and III provide step-by-step guidance on how to simulate and evaluate distributions, with accompanying spreadsheet training exercises. Part IV concludes with discussions about how to handle uncertainty about facts and disagreement about values, and the future challenges facing this growing field. Book jacket.

Cost Effectiveness Modelling for Health Technology Assessment

Download Cost Effectiveness Modelling for Health Technology Assessment PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319157442
Total Pages : 217 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (191 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Cost Effectiveness Modelling for Health Technology Assessment by : Richard Edlin

Download or read book Cost Effectiveness Modelling for Health Technology Assessment written by Richard Edlin and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-08-11 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides an introduction to decision analytic cost-effectiveness modelling, giving the theoretical and practical knowledge required to design and implement analyses that meet the methodological standards of health technology assessment organisations. The book guides you through building a decision tree and Markov model and, importantly, shows how the results of cost-effectiveness analyses are interpreted. Given the complex nature of cost-effectiveness modelling and the often unfamiliar language that runs alongside it, we wanted to make this book as accessible as possible whilst still providing a comprehensive, in-depth, practical guide that reflects the state of the art – that includes the most recent developments in cost-effectiveness modelling. Although the nature of cost effectiveness modelling means that some parts are inevitably quite technical, across the 13 chapters we have broken down explanations of theory and methods into bite-sized pieces that you can work through at your own pace; we have provided explanations of terms and methods as we use them. Importantly, the exercises and online workbooks allow you to test your skills and understanding as you go along.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health

Download Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1119011280
Total Pages : 561 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (19 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health by : Peter Muennig

Download or read book Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health written by Peter Muennig and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2016-02-03 with total page 561 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The field's bestselling reference, updated with the latest tools, data, techniques, and the latest recommendations from the Second Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health is a practical introduction to the tools, methods, and procedures used worldwide to perform cost-effective research. Covering every aspect of a complete cost-effectiveness analysis, this book shows you how to find which data you need, where to find it, how to analyze it, and how to prepare a high-quality report for publication. Designed for the classroom or the individual learner, the material is presented in simple and accessible language for those who lack a biostatistics or epidemiology background, and each chapter includes real-world examples and "tips and tricks" that highlight key information. Exercises throughout allow you to test your understanding with practical application, and the companion website features downloadable data sets for students, as well as lecture slides and a test bank for instructors. This new third edition contains new discussion on meta-analysis and advanced modeling techniques, a long worked example using visual modeling software TreeAge Pro, and updated recommendations from the U.S. Public Health Service's Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine. This is the second printing of the 3rd Edition, which has been corrected and revised for 2018 to reflect the latest standards and methods. Cost-effectiveness analysis is used to evaluate medical interventions worldwide, in both developed and developing countries. This book provides process-specific instruction in a concise, structured format to give you a robust working knowledge of common methods and techniques. Develop a thoroughly fleshed-out research project Work accurately with costs, probabilities, and models Calculate life expectancy and quality-adjusted life years Prepare your study and your data for publication Comprehensive analysis skills are essential for students seeking careers in public health, medicine, biomedical research, health economics, health policy, and more. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health walks you through the process from a real-world perspective to help you build a skillset that's immediately applicable in the field.

Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine

Download Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0199880425
Total Pages : 450 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (998 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine by : Marthe R. Gold

Download or read book Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine written by Marthe R. Gold and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 1996-07-18 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A unique, in-depth discussion of the uses and conduct of cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) as decision-making aids in the health and medical fields, this volume is the product of over two years of comprehensive research and deliberation by a multi-disciplinary panel of economists, ethicists, psychometricians, and clinicians. Exploring cost-effectiveness in the context of societal decision-making for resource allocation purposes, this volume proposes that analysts include a "reference-case" analysis in all CEAs designed to inform resource allocation and puts forth the most explicit set of guidelines (together with their rationale) ever defined on the conduct of CEAs. Important theoretical and practical issues encountered in measuring costs and effectiveness, evaluating outcomes, discounting, and dealing with uncertainty are examined in separate chapters. Additional chapters on framing and reporting of CEAs elucidate the purpose of the analysis and the effective communication of its findings. Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine differs from the available literature in several key aspects. Most importantly, it represents a consensus on standard methods--a feature integral to a CEA, whose principal goal is to permit comparisons of the costs and health outcomes of alternative ways of improving health. The detailed level at which the discussion is offered is another major distinction of this book, since guidelines in journal literature and in CEA-related books tend to be rather general--to the extent that the analyst is left with little guidance on specific matters. The focused overview of the theoretical background underlying areas of controversy and of methodological alternatives, and, finally, the accessible writing style make this volume a top choice on the reading lists of analysts in medicine and public health who wish to improve practice and comparability of CEAs. The book will also appeal to decision-makers in government, managed care, and industry who wish to consider the uses and limitations of CEAs.

Applied Methods of Cost-effectiveness Analysis in Healthcare

Download Applied Methods of Cost-effectiveness Analysis in Healthcare PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 13 : 0199227284
Total Pages : 326 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (992 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Applied Methods of Cost-effectiveness Analysis in Healthcare by : Alastair Gray

Download or read book Applied Methods of Cost-effectiveness Analysis in Healthcare written by Alastair Gray and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2011 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides the reader with a comprehensive set of instructions and examples of how to perform an economic evaluation of a health intervention, focusing solely on cost-effectiveness analysis in healthcare.

Cost Effectiveness in Health and Medicine

Download Cost Effectiveness in Health and Medicine PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0190492937
Total Pages : 537 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Cost Effectiveness in Health and Medicine by : Peter J. Neumann

Download or read book Cost Effectiveness in Health and Medicine written by Peter J. Neumann and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2017 with total page 537 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: CEAs (cost-effectiveness analyses) are used by decision makers in the health sector to make enlightened evaluations and this book provides an in depth look at how to evaluate the evaluator. The book is aimed specifically at Public health specialists.

Statistical Analysis of Cost-Effectiveness Data

Download Statistical Analysis of Cost-Effectiveness Data PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 0470856270
Total Pages : 210 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (78 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Statistical Analysis of Cost-Effectiveness Data by : Andrew R. Willan

Download or read book Statistical Analysis of Cost-Effectiveness Data written by Andrew R. Willan and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2006-08-14 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The statistical analysis of cost-effectiveness data is becoming increasingly important within health and medical research. Statistical Analysis of Cost-Effectiveness Data provides a practical book that synthesises the huge amount of research that has taken place in the area over the last two decades. Comprising an up-to-date overview of the statistical analysis of cost-effectiveness data, the book is supported by numerous worked examples from the author’s own experience. It has been written in a style suitable for medical statisticians and health care professionals alike. Key features include: an overview of statistical methods used in the analysis of cost-effectiveness data. coverage of Bayesian methodology. illustrated throughout by worked examples using real data. suitability for health care professionals with limited statistical knowledge. discussion of software used for data analysis. An essential reference for biostatisticians and health economists engaged in cost-effectiveness analysis of health-care interventions, both in academia and industry. Also of interest to graduate students of biostatistics, public health and economics.

Health System Efficiency

Download Health System Efficiency PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Health Policy
ISBN 13 : 9789289050418
Total Pages : 264 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (54 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Health System Efficiency by : Jonathan Cylus

Download or read book Health System Efficiency written by Jonathan Cylus and published by Health Policy. This book was released on 2016-12-15 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book the authors explore the state of the art on efficiency measurement in health systems and international experts offer insights into the pitfalls and potential associated with various measurement techniques. The authors show that: - The core idea of efficiency is easy to understand in principle - maximizing valued outputs relative to inputs, but is often difficult to make operational in real-life situations - There have been numerous advances in data collection and availability, as well as innovative methodological approaches that give valuable insights into how efficiently health care is delivered - Our simple analytical framework can facilitate the development and interpretation of efficiency indicators.

Economic Evaluation in Education

Download Economic Evaluation in Education PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : SAGE Publications
ISBN 13 : 148338179X
Total Pages : 377 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (833 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Economic Evaluation in Education by : Henry M. Levin

Download or read book Economic Evaluation in Education written by Henry M. Levin and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2017-06-15 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The past decade has seen increased attention to cost-effectiveness and benefit-cost analysis in education as administrators are being asked to accomplish more with the same or even fewer resources, philanthropists are keen to calculate their "return on investment" in social programs, and the general public is increasingly scrutinizing how resources are allocated to schools and colleges. Economic Evaluation in Education: Cost-Effectiveness and Benefit-Cost Analysis (titled Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Methods and Applications in its previous editions) is the only full-length book to provide readers with the step-by-step methods they need to plan and implement a benefit-cost analysis in education. Authors Henry M. Levin, Patrick J. McEwan, Clive Belfield, Alyshia Brooks Bowden, and Robert Shand examine a range of issues, including how to identify, measure, and distribute costs; how to measure effectiveness, utility, and benefits; and how to incorporate cost evaluations into the decision-making process. The updates to the Third Edition reflect the considerable methodological development in the evaluation literature, and the greater empiricism practiced by education researchers, to help readers learn to apply more advanced methods to their own analyses.

Bayesian Cost-Effectiveness Analysis with the R package BCEA

Download Bayesian Cost-Effectiveness Analysis with the R package BCEA PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319557181
Total Pages : 181 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (195 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Bayesian Cost-Effectiveness Analysis with the R package BCEA by : Gianluca Baio

Download or read book Bayesian Cost-Effectiveness Analysis with the R package BCEA written by Gianluca Baio and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-05-25 with total page 181 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book provides a description of the process of health economic evaluation and modelling for cost-effectiveness analysis, particularly from the perspective of a Bayesian statistical approach. Some relevant theory and introductory concepts are presented using practical examples and two running case studies. The book also describes in detail how to perform health economic evaluations using the R package BCEA (Bayesian Cost-Effectiveness Analysis). BCEA can be used to post-process the results of a Bayesian cost-effectiveness model and perform advanced analyses producing standardised and highly customisable outputs. It presents all the features of the package, including its many functions and their practical application, as well as its user-friendly web interface. The book is a valuable resource for statisticians and practitioners working in the field of health economics wanting to simplify and standardise their workflow, for example in the preparation of dossiers in support of marketing authorisation, or academic and scientific publications.

Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 4)

Download Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 4) PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464804281
Total Pages : 307 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 4) by : Vikram Patel

Download or read book Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 4) written by Vikram Patel and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2016-03-10 with total page 307 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders are common, highly disabling, and associated with significant premature mortality. The impact of these disorders on the social and economic well-being of individuals, families, and societies is large, growing, and underestimated. Despite this burden, these disorders have been systematically neglected, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, with pitifully small contributions to scaling up cost-effective prevention and treatment strategies. Systematically compiling the substantial existing knowledge to address this inequity is the central goal of this volume. This evidence-base can help policy makers in resource-constrained settings as they prioritize programs and interventions to address these disorders.

Field Trials of Health Interventions

Download Field Trials of Health Interventions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 0198732864
Total Pages : 479 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (987 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Field Trials of Health Interventions by : Peter G. Smith

Download or read book Field Trials of Health Interventions written by Peter G. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 479 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC 4.0 International licence. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations. Before new interventions are released into disease control programmes, it is essential that they are carefully evaluated in field trials'. These may be complex and expensive undertakings, requiring the follow-up of hundreds, or thousands, of individuals, often for long periods. Descriptions of the detailed procedures and methods used in the trials that have been conducted have rarely been published. A consequence of this, individuals planning such trials have few guidelines available and little access to knowledge accumulated previously, other than their own. In this manual, practical issues in trial design and conduct are discussed fully and in sufficient detail, that Field Trials of Health Interventions may be used as a toolbox' by field investigators. It has been compiled by an international group of over 30 authors with direct experience in the design, conduct, and analysis of field trials in low and middle income countries and is based on their accumulated knowledge and experience. Available as an open access book via Oxford Medicine Online, this new edition is a comprehensive revision, incorporating the new developments that have taken place in recent years with respect to trials, including seven new chapters on subjects ranging from trial governance, and preliminary studies to pilot testing.

Psychotherapy Is Worth It

Download Psychotherapy Is Worth It PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : American Psychiatric Pub
ISBN 13 : 0873182162
Total Pages : 362 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (731 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Psychotherapy Is Worth It by : Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry

Download or read book Psychotherapy Is Worth It written by Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry and published by American Psychiatric Pub. This book was released on 2010-03-11 with total page 362 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Psychotherapy Is Worth It: A Comprehensive Review of Its Cost-Effectiveness, edited by Susan G. Lazar, M.D., and co-authored with members of the Committee on Psychotherapy of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry, surveys the medical, psychiatric and psychological literature from 1984 to 2007 that is relevant to the cost-effectiveness of all kinds of psychotherapy. The volume explores the cost of providing psychotherapy in relation to its impact both on health and on the costs to society of psychiatric illness and related conditions. Written for psychotherapists, psychiatric benefit providers, policy makers, and others interested in the cost-effectiveness of providing psychotherapeutic treatments, this book analyzes the burden of mental illness, particularly in the United States, and the enormous associated costs to society that constitute a chronic, insufficiently recognized crisis in the health of our nation. The authors point out that in the United States nearly 30% of the population over the age of 18 has a diagnosable psychiatric disorder and yet only about 33% of those treated receive minimally adequate care. In fact, most people with mental disorders in the United States remain untreated or poorly treated, leading to loss in productivity, higher rates of absenteeism, increased costs, morbidity and mortality from medical illnesses, and loss of life through suicide. This book provides a systematic and comprehensive review of 25 years of medical literature on the cost-effectiveness of psychotherapy and discusses the: Epidemiology of mental illness, including prevalence and treatment rates Misconceptions and stigmas associated with psychiatric illness and the provision of psychotherapy and how they affect those most in need of care Cost-effectiveness of psychotherapy for the major psychiatric disorders as well as savings that psychotherapy can yield in increased health, work productivity, lives saved, and medical and hospital related costs For instance, in a review of 18 studies conducted from 1984 to 1994, psychotherapy was found to be cost-effective in treating patients with severe disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder, and led to improved work functioning and decreased hospitalization. Likewise, studies point to the enhancement of outcomes when psychotherapy is used in conjunction with medical therapies in the treatment of cancer, heart disease, and other prevalent, chronic diseases. Psychotherapy Is Worth It: A Comprehensive Review of Its Cost-Effectiveness concludes that studies confirm psychotherapy works for many conditions, is cost-effective, and is not over-used by those persons not truly in need. A treatment that is cost-effective is not "cheap"; rather, it can provide effective medical help at a cost acceptable to society, in comparison both to other effective treatments for the same condition and to medical treatments for other classes of mental disorder.

Decision Modelling for Health Economic Evaluation

Download Decision Modelling for Health Economic Evaluation PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : OUP Oxford
ISBN 13 : 0191004952
Total Pages : 269 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (91 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Decision Modelling for Health Economic Evaluation by : Andrew Briggs

Download or read book Decision Modelling for Health Economic Evaluation written by Andrew Briggs and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2006-08-17 with total page 269 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In financially constrained health systems across the world, increasing emphasis is being placed on the ability to demonstrate that health care interventions are not only effective, but also cost-effective. This book deals with decision modelling techniques that can be used to estimate the value for money of various interventions including medical devices, surgical procedures, diagnostic technologies, and pharmaceuticals. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of the appropriate representation of uncertainty in the evaluative process and the implication this uncertainty has for decision making and the need for future research. This highly practical guide takes the reader through the key principles and approaches of modelling techniques. It begins with the basics of constructing different forms of the model, the population of the model with input parameter estimates, analysis of the results, and progression to the holistic view of models as a valuable tool for informing future research exercises. Case studies and exercises are supported with online templates and solutions. This book will help analysts understand the contribution of decision-analytic modelling to the evaluation of health care programmes. ABOUT THE SERIES: Economic evaluation of health interventions is a growing specialist field, and this series of practical handbooks will tackle, in-depth, topics superficially addressed in more general health economics books. Each volume will include illustrative material, case histories and worked examples to encourage the reader to apply the methods discussed, with supporting material provided online. This series is aimed at health economists in academia, the pharmaceutical industry and the health sector, those on advanced health economics courses, and health researchers in associated fields.

Permanent Supportive Housing

Download Permanent Supportive Housing PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309477042
Total Pages : 227 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Permanent Supportive Housing by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book Permanent Supportive Housing written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2018-08-11 with total page 227 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chronic homelessness is a highly complex social problem of national importance. The problem has elicited a variety of societal and public policy responses over the years, concomitant with fluctuations in the economy and changes in the demographics of and attitudes toward poor and disenfranchised citizens. In recent decades, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the philanthropic community have worked hard to develop and implement programs to solve the challenges of homelessness, and progress has been made. However, much more remains to be done. Importantly, the results of various efforts, and especially the efforts to reduce homelessness among veterans in recent years, have shown that the problem of homelessness can be successfully addressed. Although a number of programs have been developed to meet the needs of persons experiencing homelessness, this report focuses on one particular type of intervention: permanent supportive housing (PSH). Permanent Supportive Housing focuses on the impact of PSH on health care outcomes and its cost-effectiveness. The report also addresses policy and program barriers that affect the ability to bring the PSH and other housing models to scale to address housing and health care needs.

Handbook of EHealth Evaluation

Download Handbook of EHealth Evaluation PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781550586015
Total Pages : 487 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (86 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Handbook of EHealth Evaluation by : Francis Yin Yee Lau

Download or read book Handbook of EHealth Evaluation written by Francis Yin Yee Lau and published by . This book was released on 2016-11 with total page 487 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To order please visit https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/press/books/ordering/

The Best Intentions

Download The Best Intentions PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309556376
Total Pages : 393 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (95 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The Best Intentions by : Committee on Unintended Pregnancy

Download or read book The Best Intentions written by Committee on Unintended Pregnancy and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1995-06-16 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Experts estimate that nearly 60 percent of all U.S. pregnancies--and 81 percent of pregnancies among adolescents--are unintended. Yet the topic of preventing these unintended pregnancies has long been treated gingerly because of personal sensitivities and public controversies, especially the angry debate over abortion. Additionally, child welfare advocates long have overlooked the connection between pregnancy planning and the improved well-being of families and communities that results when children are wanted. Now, current issues--health care and welfare reform, and the new international focus on population--are drawing attention to the consequences of unintended pregnancy. In this climate The Best Intentions offers a timely exploration of family planning issues from a distinguished panel of experts. This committee sheds much-needed light on the questions and controversies surrounding unintended pregnancy. The book offers specific recommendations to put the United States on par with other developed nations in terms of contraceptive attitudes and policies, and it considers the effectiveness of over 20 pregnancy prevention programs. The Best Intentions explores problematic definitions--"unintended" versus "unwanted" versus "mistimed"--and presents data on pregnancy rates and trends. The book also summarizes the health and social consequences of unintended pregnancies, for both men and women, and for the children they bear. Why does unintended pregnancy occur? In discussions of "reasons behind the rates," the book examines Americans' ambivalence about sexuality and the many other social, cultural, religious, and economic factors that affect our approach to contraception. The committee explores the complicated web of peer pressure, life aspirations, and notions of romance that shape an individual's decisions about sex, contraception, and pregnancy. And the book looks at such practical issues as the attitudes of doctors toward birth control and the place of contraception in both health insurance and "managed care." The Best Intentions offers frank discussion, synthesis of data, and policy recommendations on one of today's most sensitive social topics. This book will be important to policymakers, health and social service personnel, foundation executives, opinion leaders, researchers, and concerned individuals. May