One of the main purposes of medical cost-benefit analyses isto define the rational priorities in health care. This bookambitiously undertakes to compare the cost-benefit analysesof three countries: the United States, Germany and Israel.Cardiovascular disease is focused on to provide a model casestudy, but other areas also provide examples. The contribu-tions consider in particular two recent developments. Theseare the increase in comprehensive epidemiological data, es-pecially with regards to risk factors, and improved methodo-logy for measuring the quality of life. The contributionsstem from clinicians, epidemiologists and health economistswho give an overall picture of these complex issues and theprospects for the future.