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Monday, October 20, 2008
Columbus A-C (Hyatt Regency Penns Landing)
Preferences for additional longevity later in life may be sensitive to expected cause of death, with empirical and anecdotal evidence suggesting that individuals desire an “easy” death. We hypothesize that when presented with information about changes in life expectancy and distribution of causes of death, fewer individuals will accept prevention programs against cardiovascular disease (CVD) than against cancer.
Using Norwegian mortality data, we modeled life expectancy gains and changed distributions of causes of death resulting from either CVD or cancer prevention. An assumed 30% mortality risk reduction for either CVD or cancer resulted in 6 months or 4 months additional longevity, respectively. We surveyed a random sample of 2712 Norwegians, aged 40-67, by means of an internet panel to examine preferences for prevention programs against CVD and cancer when individuals are informed about expected increases in life expectancy and resulting changes in the distribution of causes of death in the population. The survey was randomized for named vs. unnamed disease (CVD/cancer vs. Condition X/Y), medical vs. life-style interventions, and individual vs. societal perspective. Respondents were asked whether they would accept each prevention program, whether they would be willing to pay a monthly amount of 150 NOK ($30) for each program, and whether they would prefer the CVD or cancer program if both were accepted. Additionally, respondents were asked to provide reasons for rejecting the programs.
In total, 61% of respondents accepted each of the programs. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that respondents were significantly more likely to accept prevention if offered a “named” disease, a life-style treatment intervention, and if they had personal experience with the disease. Willingness-to-pay for prevention was low, with only 26% and 28% of the full sample agreeing to pay 150 NOK per month for CVD and cancer prevention, respectively, implying discounted values of an extra life-year of approximately $12,950 for CVD and $15,250 for cancer.
Results provide little evidence that the desire for an “easy” death influenced respondents’ willingness to participate in a CVD prevention program. Framing was the most important determinant of the decision.
Using Norwegian mortality data, we modeled life expectancy gains and changed distributions of causes of death resulting from either CVD or cancer prevention. An assumed 30% mortality risk reduction for either CVD or cancer resulted in 6 months or 4 months additional longevity, respectively. We surveyed a random sample of 2712 Norwegians, aged 40-67, by means of an internet panel to examine preferences for prevention programs against CVD and cancer when individuals are informed about expected increases in life expectancy and resulting changes in the distribution of causes of death in the population. The survey was randomized for named vs. unnamed disease (CVD/cancer vs. Condition X/Y), medical vs. life-style interventions, and individual vs. societal perspective. Respondents were asked whether they would accept each prevention program, whether they would be willing to pay a monthly amount of 150 NOK ($30) for each program, and whether they would prefer the CVD or cancer program if both were accepted. Additionally, respondents were asked to provide reasons for rejecting the programs.
In total, 61% of respondents accepted each of the programs. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that respondents were significantly more likely to accept prevention if offered a “named” disease, a life-style treatment intervention, and if they had personal experience with the disease. Willingness-to-pay for prevention was low, with only 26% and 28% of the full sample agreeing to pay 150 NOK per month for CVD and cancer prevention, respectively, implying discounted values of an extra life-year of approximately $12,950 for CVD and $15,250 for cancer.
Results provide little evidence that the desire for an “easy” death influenced respondents’ willingness to participate in a CVD prevention program. Framing was the most important determinant of the decision.
See more of: Poster Session II
See more of: 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making (October 19-22, 2008)