Book excerpt: Most developed countries are struggling to finance first-class health care for everyone in their community, leading to renewed emphasis on appropriate and equitable provision of health care, placing interventions that are both high in volume and expense under the microscope. This book provides readers with an understanding of the key issues that dictate the provision of total hip replacement, one of the most cost-effective procedures available within health care. A highlight of the book is its multinational and multidisciplinary approach presenting perspectives from public health, individual patients and doctors, economists and health care purchasers and managers.