US news service promotes HTA

News release from the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment

29 November 2006

The US based Health Behaviour News Service (HBNS), which has teamed up with the HTA programme to publicise some of its published research to an international audience, has issued a press release about a new HTA report into the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of using ventricular assist devices (VADs) to help heart failure patients live and recover strength while they wait for a transplant (www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1256).

HBNS is an independent, non-profit resource for the news media and public to find the best and most recent evidence-based scientific research to help people make decisions about their health and health care. Stories cover health promotion, disease prevention, chronic conditions and health care services.

Since linking up with the news service in May three other press releases based on HTA reports have been issued: Little Evidence to Show Wandering Prevention Works for Dementia Patients (http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1309)

Oral cancer screenings at dental checkups are cost-effective (http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1274 ) and Varicose vein treatments are bargain for health system (http://www.hbns.org/getDocument.cfm?documentID=1273).

For more information visit http://www.hbns.org/

Notes for editors


  1. The HTA programme is a programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and produces high quality research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest of the NIHR programmes and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with more than 400 issues published to date. The journal’s 2007 Impact Factor (3.87) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, www.hta.ac.uk The HTA programme is coordinated by the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (NCCHTA), based at the University of Southampton.
  2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact details

Naomi Stockley, Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 646, Email: ns5@soton.ac.uk

Helen Nikandrou, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 584, Email: h.nikandrou@soton.ac.uk

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