title: Rapid health impact assessment of aspirin promotion for the secondary prophylaxis of vascular events in Wales.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence from two surveys in Wales, one of the countries of the United Kingdom, shows that there is an under-use of aspirin for secondary prophylaxis. A rapid health impact assessment of a policy of aspirin promotion in Wales is undertaken, with some estimates on  service provision.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this analysis, a general population approach rather than gender-specific calculations was undertaken to estimate scale of magnitude. Readily available epidemiological data from the Welsh population was combined with effect estimates of aspirin derived  from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An additional 700 vascular events may be avoided annually, but the impact of aspirin promotion in the 30-45% of non-compliant individuals might range from 400 to 1200. This relates to about two vascular events being avoided  each day if aspirin were used at a maximum level, with 100% compliance. An individual general medical practitioner might case-find 25-35 individuals who should be taking aspirin regularly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The promotion of aspirin to post-vascular event individuals who are non-compliant  might be achieved through routine clinical management of patients. Person-centred approaches to improving compliance might be introduced.
authors.affiliation: National Leadership Innovation Agency for Healthcare, Llanharan, UK. morgan@fforrdbeck.fsnet.co.uk
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D062489:Health Impact Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001241:Aspirin