Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for Urban Health Research

Abstract

This chapter is structured as follows. First, we introduce the urban health perspective used in this chapter and an example of a cost effectiveness analysis. Second, we review some conceptual issues and relevant definitions in cost effectiveness analysis. Third, we discuss the elements of a cost effectiveness analysis, including defining strategies, measuring both direct and indirect costs of an illness, discounting of future costs and effects, estimating life duration, and incorporating quality of life considerations. Fourth, we examine the data sources used by analysts, including the role of modeling and extrapolation. Fifth, we present methods used to analyze cost effectiveness analyses. Finally, we conclude by exploring the application of cost effectiveness analysis to urban health by posing several controversial questions. Recent publications have made considerable strides towards establishing standards for cost effectiveness analysis and are worthwhile sources of reference material (Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment, 1997; International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 2004). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)