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Avanceña ALV, Brody C, Chhoun P, Tuot S, Yi S. Connecting Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia to Health Care Services Using mHealth: Economic Evaluation of Mobile Link. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e52734. [PMID: 39052328 PMCID: PMC11310643 DOI: 10.2196/52734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile Link is a mobile phone-based intervention to increase access to, and use of, health care services among female entertainment workers in Cambodia who face higher risks for specific diseases and gender-based violence. A multisite randomized controlled trial showed that Mobile Link connected female entertainment workers with outreach workers for information and escorted referrals after 6 months but did not lead to statistically significant improvements in HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing, contraceptive use, and condom use. OBJECTIVE This study aims to conduct a 3-part economic evaluation of Mobile Link to understand its costs, value, and affordability. METHODS We conducted cost, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact analyses of Mobile Link using cost and outcomes data from the Mobile Link trial and other sources. For the cost analysis, we estimated the total, per-person, and incremental costs of Mobile Link compared with usual care. Using probabilistic decision-analytic models, we estimated the 1-year cost-effectiveness of Mobile Link from payer and combined payer and patient perspectives by converting selected primary and secondary outcomes from the trial to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Finally, we estimated the financial costs of scaling up Mobile Link's messaging and outreach services to 70% of female entertainment workers in 5 years. RESULTS The incremental costs of Mobile Link were US $199 from a payer perspective and US $195 per person from a combined payer and patient perspective. With an average of 0.018 (95% predicted interval -0.088 to 0.126) DALYs averted, Mobile Link's cost-effectiveness was US $10,955 per DALY from a payer perspective (US $10,755 per DALY averted from a payer and patient perspective). The costs of Mobile Link would have to decrease by 85%, or its effectiveness would have to be 5.56 times higher, for the intervention to meet the upper limit of recommended cost-effectiveness thresholds in Cambodia (US $1671 per DALY averted). The 5-year cost of scaling Mobile Link to 34,790 female entertainment workers was estimated at US $1.64 million or US $46 per person per year. CONCLUSIONS This study provided a comprehensive economic evaluation of Mobile Link. We found that Mobile Link is not likely to be cost-effective unless its costs decrease or its effectiveness increases. Scaling up Mobile Link to more female entertainment workers is estimated to cost less than the costs of the trial. Given the importance of linking female entertainment workers to essential services, future research should focus on enhancing the effectiveness of Mobile Link or developing new mobile health interventions for this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03117842; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03117842.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton L V Avanceña
- Health Outcomes Division, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Carinne Brody
- Public Health Program, College of Education and Health Sciences, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, United States
| | - Pheak Chhoun
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sovannary Tuot
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanity, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Pehn, Cambodia
- Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Siyan Yi
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Ali AA, Kulkarni A, Bhattacharjee S, Diaby V. Estimating and Rewarding the Value of Healthcare Interventions Beyond the Healthcare Sector: A Conceptual Framework. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2024; 42:211-224. [PMID: 38758291 PMCID: PMC11230979 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-024-01392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluating healthcare interventions for their impacts beyond health outcomes may result in recognition of changes in human capital, income level, tax revenue, and government spending, which could affect economic growth and population health. In this paper, we document instances where current health technology assessment (HTA) practices fail to account for the impacts of healthcare interventions on broader society beyond the healthcare sector. METHODS We propose a novel conceptual framework, highlighting its three components (distributional cost-effectiveness analysis [DCEA], input-output model, and voting scheme) and their contributions to capturing the economic and societal ripple effects of healthcare interventions. This manuscript also outlines a case study in which the framework is applied to the reassessment of a previously evaluated digital health therapeutic for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) compared with standard of care, demonstrating its practical application. RESULTS The DCEA health value metric indicates that digital therapeutic is more equitable, favoring socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, while standard of care exacerbates health inequality by benefiting the already advantaged. Additionally, digital therapeutic shows potential for boosting productivity, raising income, and creating jobs, supporting its consideration by employer-sponsored health plans to optimize resource allocation for treating OUD. CONCLUSION The conceptual framework provides insights for enhancing HTAs to incorporate the broader economic and societal impacts of healthcare interventions. By integrating DCEA, extended HTA analysis with input-output modeling, and a voting scheme, decision makers can make informed choices aligned with societal priorities, although further research and validation are necessary for practical implementation across diverse healthcare contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Askal Ayalew Ali
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
| | - Amit Kulkarni
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development Corporation Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Vakaramoko Diaby
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development Corporation Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Mahdiani H, Münch N, Paul NW. A QALY is [still] a QALY is [still] a QALY? : Evaluating proportional shortfall as the answer to the problem of equity in healthcare allocations. BMC Med Ethics 2024; 25:35. [PMID: 38521941 PMCID: PMC10960401 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-024-01036-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite clinical evidence of drug superiority, therapeutic modalities, like combination immunotherapy, are mostly considered cost-ineffective due to their high costs per life year(s) gained. This paper, taking an ethical stand, reevaluates the standard cost-effectiveness analysis with that of the more recent justice-enhanced methods and concludes by pointing out the shortcomings of the current methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Mahdiani
- Institute for History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Nikolai Münch
- Institute for History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert W Paul
- Institute for History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany
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Ahmed A, Dujaili JA, Chuah LH, Hashmi FK, Le LKD, Chatha ZF, Khanal S, Awaisu A, Chaiyakunapruk N. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pharmacist Adherence Interventions in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2453. [PMID: 37685487 PMCID: PMC10487586 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11172453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence has shown the positive impact of pharmacist involvement on the adherence and health outcomes of people living with HIV/AIDS. However, whether such intervention provides value for money remains unclear. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing the cost-effectiveness of pharmacist interventions in HIV care in Pakistan. Methods: A Markov decision analytic model was constructed, considering clinical inputs, utility data, and cost data obtained from a randomized controlled trial and an HIV cohort of Pakistani origin. The analysis was conducted from a healthcare perspective, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated and presented for the year 2023. Additionally, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. Results: Pharmacist intervention resulted in higher quality-adjusted life years (4.05 vs. 2.93) and likewise higher annual intervention costs than usual care (1979 USD vs. 429 USD) (532,894 PKR vs. 115,518 PKR). This yielded the ICER of 1383 USD/quality-adjusted life years (QALY) (372,406 PKR/QALY), which is well below the willingness-to-pay threshold of 1658 USD (446,456 PKR/QALY) recommended by the World Health Organization Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis reported that more than 68% of iterations were below the lower limit of threshold. Sensitivity analysis reported intervention cost is the most important parameter influencing the ICER the most. Conclusion: The study suggests that involving pharmacists in HIV care could be a cost-effective approach. These findings could help shape healthcare policies and plans, possibly making pharmacist interventions a regular part of care for people with HIV in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ahmed
- Monash University Health Economics Group (MUHEG), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Juman Abdulelah Dujaili
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Campus, Swansea University, Wales SA1 8EN, UK
| | - Lay Hong Chuah
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Furqan Khurshid Hashmi
- Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of Punjab, Allama Iqbal Campus, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Long Khanh Dao Le
- Monash University Health Economics Group (MUHEG), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Zeenat Fatima Chatha
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Saval Khanal
- Health Economics Consulting, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Ahmed Awaisu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk
- College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- IDEAS Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
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Cirera L, Sacoor C, Meremikwu M, Ranaivo L, Manun'Ebo MF, Pons-Duran C, Arikpo D, Ramirez M, Ramponi F, Figueroa-Romero A, Gonzalez R, Maly C, Roman E, Sicuri E, Pagnoni F, Menéndez C. Cost-effectiveness of community-based distribution of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e010238. [PMID: 37479498 PMCID: PMC10364184 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Malaria in pregnancy is a major driver of maternal and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The WHO recommends the administration of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) at antenatal care (ANC) visits. Despite being a highly cost-effective strategy, IPTp-SP coverage and uptake remains low. A pilot project was conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of community-based delivery of IPTp (C-IPTp) in addition to ANC delivery to increase IPTp uptake in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar (MDG), Mozambique (MOZ) and Nigeria (NGA). METHODS Costs and CE estimates of C-IPTp were calculated according to two scenarios: (1) costs in 'programmatic mode' (ie, costs if C-IPTp was to be implemented by national health systems) and (2) costs from the pilot project. The effectiveness of C-IPTp was obtained through estimates of the averted disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) associated with maternal clinical malaria and anaemia, low birth weight and neonatal mortality. RESULTS Net incremental costs of C-IPTp ranged between US$6138-US$47 177 (DRC), US$5552-US$31 552 (MDG), US$10 202-US$53 221 (MOZ) and US$667-US$28 645 (NGA) per 1000 pregnant women, under scenarios (1) and (2), respectively. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) ranged between US$15-US$119 in DRC, US$9-US$53 in MDG, US$104-US$543 in MOZ and US$2-US$66 in NGA per DALY averted, under scenarios (1) and (2), respectively. ICERs fall below the WHO recommended CE threshold based on the gross domestic product per capita. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that C-IPTp is a highly cost-effective intervention. Results can inform policy decisions on adopting and optimising effective interventions for preventing malaria in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Cirera
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Martin Meremikwu
- Cross River Health and Demographic Surveillance System, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Louise Ranaivo
- Malagasy Associates for Numerical Information and Statistical Analysis (MANISA), Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Manu F Manun'Ebo
- Bureau d'Étude et de Gestion de l'Information Statistique (BEGIS), Kinshasa, Congo (the Democratic Republic of the)
| | - Clara Pons-Duran
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dachi Arikpo
- Cross River Health and Demographic Surveillance System, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Maximo Ramirez
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Ramponi
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antia Figueroa-Romero
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Gonzalez
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Manhiça Health Research Center, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Christina Maly
- Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University Affiliate, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elaine Roman
- Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University Affiliate, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elisa Sicuri
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Health Policy, The London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Franco Pagnoni
- Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Initiative, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
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Taylor R, Sullivan D, Reeves P, Kerr N, Sawyer A, Schwartzkoff E, Bailey A, Williams C, Hure A. A Scoping Review of Economic Evaluations to Inform the Reorientation of Preventive Health Services in Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6139. [PMID: 37372726 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The Australian National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030 recommended the establishment of evidence-based frameworks to enable local public health services to identify strategies and interventions that deliver value for money. This study aimed to review the cost-effectiveness of preventive health strategies to inform the reorientation of local public health services towards preventive health interventions that are financially sustainable. Four electronic databases were searched for reviews published between 2005 and February 2022. Reviews that met the following criteria were included: population: human studies, any age or sex; concept 1: primary and/or secondary prevention interventions; concept 2: full economic evaluation; context: local public health services as the provider of concept 1. The search identified 472 articles; 26 were included. Focus health areas included mental health (n = 3 reviews), obesity (n = 1), type 2 diabetes (n = 3), dental caries (n = 2), public health (n = 4), chronic disease (n = 5), sexual health (n = 1), immunisation (n = 1), smoking cessation (n = 3), reducing alcohol (n = 1), and fractures (n = 2). Interventions that targeted obesity, type 2 diabetes, smoking cessation, and fractures were deemed cost-effective, however, more studies are needed, especially those that consider equity in priority populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Taylor
- Health Economics and Impact, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Deborah Sullivan
- Health Economics and Impact, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Penny Reeves
- Health Economics and Impact, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Nicola Kerr
- Health Promotion, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
| | - Amy Sawyer
- Health Promotion, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
| | - Emma Schwartzkoff
- Health Promotion, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
| | - Andrew Bailey
- Research and Knowledge Translation Directorate, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia
| | - Christopher Williams
- Research and Knowledge Translation Directorate, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia
- University Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Alexis Hure
- Health Economics and Impact, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Pinto D, Heinemann AW, Chang SH, Charlifue S, Field-Fote EC, Furbish CL, Jayaraman A, Tefertiller C, Taylor HB, French DD. Cost-effectiveness analysis of overground robotic training versus conventional locomotor training in people with spinal cord injury. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2023; 20:10. [PMID: 36681852 PMCID: PMC9867867 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-023-01134-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few, if any estimates of cost-effectiveness for locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (SCI) are available. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (overground robotic locomotor training versus conventional locomotor training) by injury status (complete versus incomplete) using a practice-based cohort. METHODS A probabilistic cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a prospective, practice-based cohort from four participating Spinal Cord Injury Model System sites. Conventional locomotor training strategies (conventional training) were compared to overground robotic locomotor training (overground robotic training). Conventional locomotor training included treadmill-based training with body weight support, overground training, and stationary robotic systems. The outcome measures included the calculation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) using the EQ-5D and therapy costs. We estimate cost-effectiveness using the incremental cost utility ratio and present results on the cost-effectiveness plane and on cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. RESULTS Participants in the prospective, practice-based cohort with complete EQ-5D data (n = 99) qualified for the analysis. Both conventional training and overground robotic training experienced an improvement in QALYs. Only people with incomplete SCI improved with conventional locomotor training, 0.045 (SD 0.28), and only people with complete SCI improved with overground robotic training, 0.097 (SD 0.20). Costs were lower for conventional training, $1758 (SD $1697) versus overground robotic training $3952 (SD $3989), and lower for those with incomplete versus complete injury. Conventional overground training was more effective and cost less than robotic therapy for people with incomplete SCI. Overground robotic training was more effective and cost more than conventional training for people with complete SCI. The incremental cost utility ratio for overground robotic training for people with complete spinal cord injury was $12,353/QALY. CONCLUSIONS The most cost-effective locomotor training strategy for people with SCI differed based on injury completeness. Conventional training was more cost-effective than overground robotic training for people with incomplete SCI. Overground robotic training was more cost-effective than conventional training for people with complete SCI. The effect estimates may be subject to limitations associated with small sample sizes and practice-based evidence methodology. These estimates provide a baseline for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pinto
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA.
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for the Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
| | - Allen W Heinemann
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Shuo-Hsiu Chang
- Neurorecovery Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | | | - Edelle C Field-Fote
- Spinal Cord Injury, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia
- Division of Physical Therapy, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | | | - Arun Jayaraman
- Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research and Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | | | - Heather B Taylor
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disability Research, TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | - Dustin D French
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
- Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
- Health Services Research and Development Service, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Chicago, USA
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Hinde S, Howdon D, Lomas J, Franklin M. Health Inequalities: To What Extent are Decision-Makers and Economic Evaluations on the Same Page? An English Case Study. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2022; 20:793-802. [PMID: 35767187 PMCID: PMC9596586 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-022-00739-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Economic evaluations have increasingly sought to understand how funding decisions within care sectors impact health inequalities. However, there is a disconnect between the methods used by researchers (e.g., within universities) and analysts (e.g., within publicly funded commissioning agencies), compared to evidence needs of decision makers in regard to how health inequalities are accounted for and presented. Our objective is to explore how health inequality is defined and quantified in different contexts. We focus on how specific approaches have developed, what similarities and differences have emerged, and consider how disconnects can be bridged. We explore existing methodological research regarding the incorporation of inequality considerations into economic evaluation in order to understand current best practice. In parallel, we explore how localised decision makers incorporate inequality considerations into their commissioning processes. We use the English care setting as a case study, from which we make inference as how local commissioning has evolved internationally. We summarise the recent development of distributional cost-effectiveness analysis in the economic evaluation literature: a method that makes explicit the trade-off between efficiency and equity. In the parallel decision-making setting, while the alleviation of health inequality is regularly the focus of remits, few details have been formalised regarding its definition or quantification. While data development has facilitated the reporting and comparison of metrics of inequality to inform commissioning decisions, these tend to focus on measures of care utilisation and behaviour rather than measures of health. While both researchers and publicly funded commissioning agencies are increasingly putting the identification of health inequalities at the core of their actions, little consideration has been given to ensuring that they are approaching the problem in a consistent way. The extent to which researchers and commissioning agencies can collaborate on best practice has important implications for how successful policy is in addressing health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hinde
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Heslington, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Dan Howdon
- Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - James Lomas
- Department of Economics and Related Studies, University of York, Heslington, UK
| | - Matthew Franklin
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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