Document Type

Master's Culminating Experience

Publication Date

2004

Abstract

Treating the uninsured in cases of cardiovascular emergencies has demonstrated to be a large expense to the health care system, primarily borne by the society as they contribute to taxes/levies that support local hospitals for indigent care. Interventions to reduce the cardiovascular risk factors among the uninsured are expensive but have proven to be an effective alternative to the present situation, which is to treat them only in cases of emergencies. The metabolic syndrome (MS) poses a threat particularly to the uninsured population because of its asymptomatic nature. Detection and treatment of MS at its onset provides substantial clinical benefit over long periods. Economic evaluations of such an intervention prove to be beneficial since it would improve the quality of life of individuals with the syndrome, consequently improving productivity. Although the expense of treating the syndrome among the uninsured has to be borne by the society, the effectiveness generated by the cost incurred lies within the realms of what society can afford. This paper evaluates the potential benefits of treating this small portion of the population over long periods. It presents a universal model to evaluate cost-effectiveness of treating the uninsured with the MS, and the model is then extrapolated to the uninsured with MS in Montgomery County to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program. The model compares treatment of MS in the uninsured at the onset of the syndrome versus not treating them until an event that needs medical attention occurs.

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