ABSTRACT
Adherence to treatments with proven efficacy, including both medications and lifestyle, is a primary determinant of the effectiveness of treatment (1). As reviewed throughout this volume, adherence clearly and directly optimizes clinical benefit and health-related quality of life of patients with disease (secondary and tertiary prevention), as well as prevent onset of disease (primary prevention). In addition, higher rates of adherence confer direct economic benefits by, for example, reducing costs associated with acute exacerbations of disease (e.g., hospitalizations, emergency department visits, expensive treatments). Indirect savings may result by enhancing patients' quality of life and decreasing workdays lost to illness. When adherence programs are combined with regular treatment and disease-specific education, significant improvements in health-promoting behaviors, cognitive symptom management, communication, and disability management have been observed.
