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Coronary heart disease as a case study in prevention: potential role of incentives

Philip A Ades1, Diann E Gaalema

  • 1Division of Cardiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, University Health Center Campus, 1 S. Prospect St, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. Philip.ades@vtmednet.org

Preventive Medicine
|January 31, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Monetary incentives may encourage healthier behaviors to prevent and treat coronary heart disease. This review explores using financial rewards, especially for cardiac rehabilitation (CR), to improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Behavioral Economics

Background:

  • Coronary atherosclerosis stems from behavioral, genetic, and environmental factors.
  • Key risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) include tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and physical inactivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential role of monetary incentives in preventing and treating coronary heart disease.
  • To highlight the specific application of incentives for patient participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on the intersection of behavioral economics and cardiovascular disease prevention.
  • Analysis of existing research on financial incentives and health behavior change.
  • Exploration of CR as a multi-risk intervention amenable to incentive-based strategies.

Main Results:

  • Behavioral factors significantly contribute to CHD risk.
  • Monetary incentives represent an underutilized strategy for promoting heart-healthy behaviors.
  • Cardiac rehabilitation offers a promising avenue for implementing incentive programs to improve patient adherence and outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Financial incentives show potential for enhancing the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease.
  • Integrating monetary incentives into cardiac rehabilitation programs could improve patient engagement and cardiovascular health.

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