Resources & Publications

Audience - Consumers

Breathing Easier: Messages for Asthma Relief, 2003
Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children, and is the leading cause of school absences due to a chronic disease. This brief article, written in partnership with the Chronic Disease Directors and published by NAPS outlines key factors for consumers about asthma, its risk factors, diagnosis, and preventive measures.

A Closer Look at Allergies, 2001
Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S., and cost the health care system over $18 billion annually. In this publication, a joint project between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and NPC, we take a closer look factors influencing drug spending for allergies.

A Closer Look at Arthritis, 2002
One in six Americans suffers from arthritis, and the CDC projects that number will grow to one in five by 2020. In this six-page brochure, a collaborative project between the Arthritis Foundation and NPC, we take a closer look at the factors influencing drug spending for treating arthritis.

A Closer Look at Asthma, 2001
Asthma results in approximately 5,000 deaths annually in the U.S. and accounts for nearly half a million hospitalizations, 1.6 million emergency room visits, and over 10 million physician office visits. In this six-page brochure, a joint project between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and NPC, we take a closer look at the factors influencing drug spending for the treatment of asthma.

A Closer Look at Depression, 2002
Clinical depression is a widespread and debilitating illness that cost Americans $44 billion in 1990, making it one of the nation's ten most costly diseases. In this six-page brochure, a collaboration between the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and NPC, we take a closer look at the factors that influence drug spending for treating depression.

A Closer Look at Diabetes, 2002
The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes jumped 49 percent from 1990 to 2000. Diabetes is the main cause of kidney failure, new cases of blindness, and lower limb amputations, and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In this six-page brochure, a joint project between the American Diabetes Association and NPC, we take a closer look at the factors that influence drug spending for the treatment of diabetes.

A Closer Look at High Blood Pressure, 2001
Roughly 50 million Americans ages six and older have high blood pressure. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. In this six-page brochure, a joint project between the American Heart Association and NPC, we take a closer look at the factors influencing drug spending for the treatment of high blood pressure.

A Closer Look at High Cholesterol, 2001
High cholesterol is a major risk factor in heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S., which claims the lives of nearly 460,000 Americans each year. In this six-page brochure, a joint project between the American Heart Association and NPC, we take a closer look at the factors influencing drug spending for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Consumer Reports on the Health Effects of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs, by Joel S. Weissman, et al., Health Affairs Web Exclusive, February 2003
This paper reports the results of a study of the health behaviors and outcomes that result when patients initiate discussions with their doctors as a result of seeing a prescription drug ad. Consumers reported that DTCA-motivated discussions with physicians frequently result in new diagnoses for clinically important conditions, and the survey found no evidence to support concerns about adverse health consequences.

Costs and Benefits of Pharmaceuticals: The Value Equation for Older Americans, by Richard Levy, PhD, Care Management Journals, Vol. 3, No. 3, Spring 2002
Benefits from new pharmaceuticals far outweigh their costs for many key diseases of the elderly. Even incremental improvements in drug therapies contribute substantially to improved care. Chronic illness, disability, and an aging population will drive future health care spending. Pharmaceutical innovation will be an integral part of effective strategies to address this challenge.

Cultural and Genetic Diversity in America: The Need for Individualized Pharmaceutical Treatment, by Valentine J. Burroughs, et al., 2002
Pharmacogenetic research in the past few decades has uncovered significant differences among population groups in the metabolism, clinical effectiveness, and side effect profiles of many clinically important drugs. In addition, differences in how various populations view and respond to medicines underscores the need for an individualized approach to pharmaceutical therapy. Cost management policy design must take these differences into account in order to ensure that they are broad and flexible enough to enable rational choices and individualized treatment for all patients, regardless of racial or ethnic origin. Fact Sheet available.

Annotated PowerPoint slides related to this report are available.

Diabetes: What You Should Know, 2003
Almost 6 million Americans have undiagnosed diabetes. This brief article, written in partnership with the Chronic Disease Directors and published by NAPS outlines key facts for consumers about diabetes, its risk factors, diagnosis, and preventive measures.

Disease Management for Asthma, 2004
Asthma, one of the first disease management targets, is often selected for managed intervention because high-cost patients can be easily identified via their frequent medication refills, consistent clinical practice guidelines and validated outcome measures are available that can help assess the effectiveness of the interventions, and educational interventions have been developed to help improve the behavior of both patients and health care practitioners. This bibliography presents 69 studies demonstrating the impact of educational interventions on asthma treatment and management. Fact sheet available.

Disease Management for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2003
This bibliography of disease management and educational interventions focuses on a relatively new disease target for such programs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the year 2000, an estimated 10 million Americans were diagnosed with COPD and another 14 million were undiagnosed. The high mortality and cost associated with COPD, as well as a lack of awareness regarding the disease, are incentives to apply disease management strategies. Further education of health care providers and the public could improve the detection and treatment of COPD.

Disease Management for Depression, 2003
This monograph provides an introduction to disease management along with an analysis of penetration, trends and growth. Disease management strategies have great potential to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients with depression. Although there can be some challenges in managing depression through a disease management program, many programs have had success. While not every program included in the literature search represents a comprehensive disease management program, examples of specific educational interventions for depression are included and discussed.

Disease Management for Diabetes, 2004
This monograph presents 65 studies detailing the impact of educational interventions on diabetes treatment and management as well as information on diabetes disease management programs in development. It is intended to serve as a guide for those interested in developing disease management programs for the treatment of diabetes. Fact sheet available.

Disease Management for Heart Failure, 2004
This bibliography presents 68 studies concerning the impact of educational interventions on heart failure treatment and management. It is intended to serve as a guide for those interested in developing disease management programs for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Fact sheet available.

Disease Management for Schizophrenia, 2004
Disease management efforts for schizophrenia are less well established than are efforts for other chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes. Managing schizophrenia poses more of a challenge than many other chronic diseases because it usually causes greater disability than other mental and physical illnesses. However, disease management strategies have the potential to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. This monograph provides an introduction to disease management as well as examples of interventions for schizophrenia.

Drug-Related Adverse Events: A Readers' Guide to Assessing Literature Reviews and Meta-Analyses, by Susan D. Ross, MD, Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 161, April 23, 2001
The objective of this article is to provide readers with a practical guide to critically appraising reviews and meta-analyses of source studies of drug-related adverse events. A critique of a highly publicized meta-analysis is used as a case study to highlight several contentious issues.

Finding Arthritis Strategies that Work, 2003
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the leading cause of disability among adults in the U.S. This brief article, written in partnership with the Chronic Disease Directors and published by NAPS outlines key facts for consumers about arthritis, its risk factors, diagnosis, and preventive measures.

Genes, Culture, and Medicines: Bridging Gaps in Treatment for Hispanic Americans, by Carolina Reyes, MD, et al., 2004
This report brings together for the first time a growing body of scientific research demonstrating substantial disparities in pharmaceutical therapy for Hispanic Americans. These disparities in pharmaceutical treatment are substantial and often persist even after adjustment for differences in income, age, insurance coverage, and coexisting medical conditions. Emerging research demonstrates that genetic variations affect Hispanic Americans and may require dosage adjustments to achieve an optimal therapeutic effect.

Fact Sheet available.
Annotated PowerPoint slides related to this report are available.

Genetic Variations in Response to Medications: Looking at the Implications for Minority Elders, by Richard Levy and Jean Polatsek, Healthcare and Aging, Vol. 9, No. 1, Spring 2002
Genetic, environmental and cultural factors influence variations in drug response among elders from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Racial and ethnic heritage can be an indicator of special medical needs and differing drug responses; if ignored these differences in treatment response, can lead to compromised care and greater health risks. In addition, substantial dosing adjustments may be necessary to avoid overdosing or underdosing. Reprinted with permission from Healthcare and Aging, Vol. 9, No. 1, Spring 2002. Copyright © 2002 American Society on Aging San Francisco, California. Also published in Diversity Currents, Vol. 4, No. 2, Spring 2002.)

The Importance of Individualized Pharmaceutical Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, by David B. Nash, MD, MBA, et al., Disease Management, Vol. 4, Suppl. 1, 2001
Individualized pharmaceutical care for patients with diabetes is necessary due to the variety among the patient population, the frequency and severity of concurrent medical conditions, and other factors that influence individual health and treatment options. This 22-page supplement to the journal Disease Management emphasizes how proper care tailored to individual patient needs can improve overall health and reduce more serious complications. Fact sheet available.

Improving and Measuring Osteoporosis Management
In the United States, an estimated 10 million people are living with osteoporosis, also called brittle bone disease. Although osteoporosis is responsible for the majority of hip fractures, and accounts for more than eighteen billion dollars in health care expenditures annually, on average only 20% of patients are ever screened or treated for the disease. A new monograph developed by The Joint Commission through an unrestricted educational grant by NPC, is now available. The monograph contains 10 voluntary measures of care, designed for a variety of healthcare settings. "Improving and Measuring Osteoporosis Management" is intended for a professional audience and contains clinical information and practical tips for implementing an osteoporosis improvement initiative, whether clinical care is given in a hospital, emergency department, rehabilitation facility, home health agency, or doctor's office.

• Executive Summary (June 2008)
• Full Monograph (March 2008)