The NYT's December 21, 2009 article, Tool in Cystic Fibrosis Fight: A Registry, provides a powerful illustration of how even simple tracking and measurement can lead to significant improvement in impacts (and social return on investment):

"The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in Bethesda, Md., manages the electronic registry, which tracks treatments, results and health status on patients from more than 100 centers around the country. Researchers say that by identifying the most effective treatments for each patient, it has played a crucial part in doubling the average life expectancy of the estimated 30,000 cystic fibrosis patients in the United States."