Meeting The Challenge Of Chronic Illness

Kane (long-term care and aging, U. of Minnesota School of Public Health) introduces this analysis of what the foreword writer calls the "mismatch between the care needs of the chronically ill and our current approaches to delivering and financing health care...." Among their recommendations for reforming the US health care system, the authors (a MD, PhD, and JD) are expanded policy support for utilizing information technology for clinical decision- making and involving families in chronic illness management. They also include clinicians' perspectives, an essay on the news media's role in educating the public about health issues, and lessons from the UK National Health Service. Chronic mental illness and childhood conditions are beyond the scope of the book. Annotation c2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Robert L. Kane, M.D., is a professor and the Minnesota Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Reinhard Priester, J.D., is a coordinator in the Division of Health Services Research and Policy of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Annette M. Totten, Ph.D. is director of the Center for the Study of Aging at Boise State University.