Funding mechanisms for disaster recovery: can we afford to build back better?

Providing outpatient prescription drugs through Medicare: can we afford to? Can we afford not to?

HPV vaccine: Can we afford to hesitate?

To the Editor: Cervical cancer, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The estimated annual incidence of cervical cancer is 35/100 000 women, with 22.5/100 000 associated deaths. This is in stark contrast to the 6.6/100 000 cases and 2.7/100 000 deaths reported in developed countries such as the USA, where HPV vaccination has been available si...

Can we afford to eliminate restenosis?

Over the past decade, coronary stenting has emerged as the dominant form of percutaneous coronary revascularization. However, bare metal stents remain limited by a high incidence of restenosis, leading to frequent repeat revascularization procedures and substantial economic burden. Antiproliferative drug-eluting stents (DES) have recently demonstrated dramatic reductions in rates of restenosis,...

Can we afford to develop treatments for dementia?

his issue and that of the BMJ (22nd June 2002), are dedicated to neuro-degenerative disorders. We have come a long way in this field over the past two decades or so. Twenty years ago we knew only that Alzheimer's disease (AD) affected many elderly people, segregated in some early onset families, and was predominantly a disorder of cholin-ergic function. Now we have five years of postlicencing e...

Can we afford the war on cancer?

Immunotherapy vaccines could extend survival in a handful of cancers. But personalizing treatment, payers argue, is not sustainable. Where should the line be drawn?