Comparative Effectiveness in Health Care: A core objective for the nation is achieving the best health outcome for every patient. Accomplishment of this objective is fundamentally dependent on the development of better evidence on which to base healthcare decisions, as well as on more effective application of the knowledge we have. Each is vitally important. Of the nation’s more than $2 trillion annual health expenditure—now 20% higher than any other country in the world—less than 0.1% is invested in assessing the comparative effectiveness of available interventions. Regardless of individual perspectives on reform of the many challenging issues in health policy today, there is no question about the critical need for better information for patients and providers to make their decisions about the comparative advantages of healthcare options. (Click on link below to download the full background brief or executive summary)

The Case for Evidence-Based Medicine:  Americans look to cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation to protect and improve their health and health care, with the expectation that they will receive the most appropriate care based on the best scientific evidence. Unprecedented innovations in the diagnosis, prediction, therapy, and long-term management of disease are bringing Americans closer than ever to a vision of personalized health care. Breakthroughs in just the past decade in human genomics, stem cell biology, proteomics, and immunology offer glimpses of new approaches than can now only be imagined. At the same time, this vision of progress is clouded by uncertainties about the health and economic consequences of clinical practices.  What diagnostic and therapeutic value is actually gained from current practices and new approaches, at what cost, and with what consequences?  Using our resources to take full advantage of genuine breakthroughs depends on knowledge that will inform wise choices among available options. (Click on link below to download this background brief)