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Since several years, numerous new non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) have been available to identify common chromosomal anomalies. Most NIPTs are available for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies, but many laboratories have expanded their range of analysis to include other trisomies and common microdeletions. The main advantage of NIPT compared to the conventional screening approach is the ease of implementation and non-invasiveness of the assay, as well as the potential reduction in false-positive [FP] results. An introduction of non-invasive genetic testing has ethical, social and organizational implications that need to be considered.

MammaPrint®  is a test that measures the activity of certain genes within the tumour cells to estimate the likelihood of the tumour to return and spread to other organs, where it becomes incurable. Based on the outcome of MammaPrint®, depending whether the tumour has a low or high risk of returning, and in consultation with the clinician, it can be determined whether or not additional chemotherapy is needed after surgery. This 'gene expression test' is analysing the activity of 70 genes in the breast tumour and claims to be a tumour fingerprint.

Due to the medical advances in neonatal intensive care medicine, the survival rate of premature infants has increased over the last two decades with babies born after 22 weeks of gestation now having a chance of survival. Based on interviews with five heads of Austrian perinatal care centers and a clinical ethicist, this literature review outlines the current evidence on decision-making practices (guidelines, good practice models, and communication strategies) and ethical challenges at the limit of viability.

Due to the medical advances in neonatal intensive care medicine, the survival rate of premature infants has increased over the last two decades, with babies born after 22 weeks of gestation now having a chance of survival. In a systematic review, recent data on survival and survival without impairment for extremely preterm infants was collected, as well as literature on resource needs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). In addition, interviews with five heads of Austrian perinatal care centers provide insights into the current supply situation in Austrian NICUs.

Psychotherapy developed on the basis of various sciences (e.g., medicine or psychology) and became an independent scientific discipline with specific methods. Against this background, the report is based on concepts used in German-speaking countries as well as general and specific effect factors in psychotherapy. Furthermore, differences in the German-speaking area are presented in the legally recognized psychotherapeutic methods for the outpatient sector as well as the legal framework conditions for the recognition of new psychotherapeutic methods, vocational training and professional practice in psychotherapy.

Social Return On Investment measures the social „value for money“ of an intervention. In our project, though, we are providing an overview of studies measuring the return on investment of 15 health-related interventions from the societal perspective. The studies have shown that all interventions are worth the investment. Thus, the savings are higher than the costs of the interventions. The highest returns can be expected in the areas of “crime” and “income”.