Table 1

Parameters of the Markov model

	Base case assumptions	Alternative assumptions	Source	Reference
Health parameters
Mortality from MI and from stroke (current rates)		Age/sex specific rates Norway 1994		Low: 25% lower	Statistics Norway		¹⁴
				High: 25% higher
Ratio of non-fatal to fatal MIs		2:1		Low: 1:1	Finnmark Study		¹⁵
				High: 3:1
Ratio of non-fatal to fatal strokes		3:1		Low: 2:1	Innherred Study		¹⁶
				High: 4:1
Reversibility of the risk of MIs	100%	50%	Bergen Study	¹⁷
Reversibility of the risk of cerebral strokes	100%	50%	Bergen Study	¹⁷
Reduction in systolic blood pressure		2 mm Hg		Low: 1 mm Hg			1 2 3
				High: 4 mm Hg
Economic parameters
Cost of information campaigns and development of new products with less salt (new recipes)		$2.9 mill/year		Low: $1.4 mill	Expert judgement		¹⁰
				High: $5.7 mill
Welfare losses from taxation/subsidising		$14 mill/year		Low: $0 mill/year	Expert judgement		¹⁰
				Middle: $23 mill/year
				High: $143 mill/year
Cost savings from reduced antihypertensive treatment		$6 mill per 2 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure		Low: 0	Tromsø Study		^{18 19}
				High: $9 mill per 2 mm reduction
Cost of in hospital care for MI		$7 143		Low: $3 571	DRG price list		²⁰
				High: $10 714
Cost of care for non-fatal stroke (one year cost)		$14 286		Low: $7 143	DRG price list and public accounts		²⁰
				High: $21 429
Cost of care for fatal stroke		$7 857		Low: $4 643	DRG price list		²⁰
				High: $11 071
Cost of in hospital care during extended life		Age/sex specific DRG utilisation rates		Low: 50%	National DRG statistics		²⁰
				High: 200%
Mean annual income incl. employer tax		$31 429		Low: $25 714	Statistics Norway		²³
				High: $37 143
Proportion non-retired		Age/sex specific rates		Low: 10% lower	Statistics Norway		²³
				High: 10% higher
Elasticity factor		0.8		0.0			²⁴
				1.0
Discount rate		5%		0%			²⁵
				3.5%
				7%
				10%