A pharmacoeconomic approach to assessing the costs and benefits of air quality interventions that improve health: a case study.

Objective: This paper explores the use of pharmacoeconomic methods of valuation to health impacts resulting from exposure to poor air quality. In using such methods, interventions that reduce exposure to poor air quality can be directly compared, in terms of value for money (or cost-effectiveness), with competing demands for finite resources, including other public health interventions.

Design: Using results estimated as part of a health impact assessment regarding a West Yorkshire Low Emission Zone strategy, this paper quantifies cost-saving and health-improving implications of transport policy through its impact on air quality.

Developing and implementing quality standards for memory services: The Memory Services National Accreditation Programme (MSNAP).

Background: The lack of a consistent model means that the quality and characteristics of memory services can vary greatly. Quality standards have been successfully applied in a range of healthcare settings which allow services to implement improvements where necessary. A nationally agreed set of quality standards would help fulfil this need for UK memory services.

Multifaceted implementation of stroke prevention guidelines in primary care: cluster-randomised evaluation of clinical and cost effectiveness.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and cost effectiveness of implementing evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of stroke.

Design: Cluster-randomised trial

Setting: Three primary care organisations in the North of England covering a population of 400,000.

Participants: Seventy six primary care teams in four clusters: North, South & West, City I and City II.