Assessing the Lifetime Cost-Effectiveness of Low-Protein Infant Formula as Early Obesity Prevention Strategy: The CHOP Randomized Trial

Background: Although there is a growing number of early childhood obesity prevention programs, only a few of them are effective in the long run. Even fewer reports exist on lifetime cost-effectiveness of early prevention strategies. This paper aimed to assess the lifetime cost-effectiveness of infant feeding modification aiming at reducing risk of later obesity. Methods: The simulation model consists of two parts: (a) Model I used data from the European Childhood Obesity Project (CHOP) trial (up to 6 years) and the German Interview and Examination Survey for Children (KiGGS) (6–17 years) to evaluate BMI trajectories of infants receiving either lower protein (LP) or higher protein (HP) content formula; and (b) Model II estimated lifetime cost-effectiveness based on Model I BMI trajectories. Compared to HP formula, LP formula feeding would incur lower costs that are attributable to childhood obesity across all decades of life. Results: Our analysis showed that LP formula would be cost-effective in terms of a positive net monetary benefit (discounted 3%) as an obesity prevention strategy. For the 19% of infants fed with formula in Germany, the LP strategy would result in cost savings of € 2.5 billion. Conclusions: Our study is one of the first efforts to provide much-needed cost-effectiveness evidence of infant feeding modification, thereby potentially motivating interventionists to reassess their resource allocation.

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Cost-Effectiveness of a School-and Family-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Programme in China: The “CHIRPY DRAGON” Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial

International Journal of Public Health ◽

10.3389/ijph.2021.1604025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 66 ◽

Author(s):

Mandana Zanganeh ◽

Peymane Adab ◽

Bai Li ◽

Miranda Pallan ◽

Wei Jia Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Public Sector ◽

Societal Perspective ◽

Obesity Prevention ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Prevention Programme ◽

Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽

Intervention Cost ◽

Family Based

Objectives: Rapid socioeconomic and nutrition transitions in Chinese populations have contributed to the growth in childhood obesity. This study presents a cost-effectiveness analysis of a school- and family-based childhood obesity prevention programme in China.Methods: A trial-based economic evaluation assessed cost-effectiveness at 12 months. Forty schools with 1,641 children were randomised to either receive the multi-component (diet and physical activity) intervention or to continue with usual activities. Both public sector and societal perspectives were adopted. Costs and benefits in the form of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were compared and uncertainty was assessed using established UK and US thresholds.Results: The intervention cost was 35.53 Yuan (£7.04/US$10.01) per child from a public sector perspective and 536.95 Yuan (£106/US$151) from a societal perspective. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 272.7 Yuan (£54/US$77)/BMI z-score change. The ICER was 8,888 Yuan (£1,760/US$2,502) and 73,831 Yuan (£14,620/US$20,796) per QALY from a public sector and societal perspective, respectively and was cost-effective using UK (£20,000) and US (US$50,000) per QALY thresholds.Conclusion: A multi-component school-based prevention programme is a cost-effective means of preventing childhood obesity in China.

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Increasing the Price of Alcohol as an Obesity Prevention Measure: The Potential Cost-Effectiveness of Introducing a Uniform Volumetric Tax and a Minimum Floor Price on Alcohol in Australia

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12030603 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 603

Author(s):

Ella Robinson ◽

Phuong Nguyen ◽

Heng Jiang ◽

Michael Livingston ◽

Jaithri Ananthapavan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Obesity Prevention ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Alcohol Intervention ◽

Potential Cost ◽

Uncertainty Interval ◽

Floor Price ◽

Life Years

The objective of this study was to estimate, from an obesity prevention perspective, the cost-effectiveness of two potential policies that increase the price of alcohol in Australia: a volumetric tax applied to all alcohol (Intervention 1) and a minimum unit floor price (Intervention 2). Estimated changes in alcoholic drink consumption and corresponding changes in energy intake were calculated using the 2011–12 Australian Health Survey data, published price elasticities, and nutrition information. The incremental changes in body mass index (BMI), BMI-related disease outcomes, healthcare costs, and Health Adjusted Life Years (HALYs) were estimated using a validated model. Costs associated with each intervention were estimated for government and industry. Both interventions were estimated to lead to reductions in mean alcohol consumption (Intervention 1: 20.7% (95% Uncertainty Interval (UI): 20.2% to 21.1%); Intervention 2: 9.2% (95% UI: 8.9% to 9.6%)); reductions in mean population body weight (Intervention 1: 0.9 kg (95% UI: 0.84 to 0.96); Intervention 2: 0.45 kg (95% UI: 0.42 to 0.48)); HALYs gained (Intervention 1: 566,648 (95% UI: 497,431 to 647,262); Intervention 2: 317,653 (95% UI: 276,334 to 361,573)); and healthcare cost savings (Intervention 1: $5.8 billion (B) (95% UI: $5.1B to $6.6B); Intervention 2: $3.3B (95% UI: $2.9B to $3.7B)). Intervention costs were estimated as $24M for Intervention 1 and $30M for Intervention 2. Both interventions were dominant, resulting in health gains and cost savings. Increasing the price of alcohol is likely to be cost-effective from an obesity prevention perspective in the Australian context, provided consumers substitute alcoholic beverages with low or no kilojoule alternatives.

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First-Line Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab versus Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13050931 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 931

Author(s):

Chi-Leung Chiang ◽

Sik-Kwan Chan ◽

Shing-Fung Lee ◽

Horace Cheuk-Wai Choi

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Lifetime Cost ◽

Cost Effective ◽

First Line ◽

First Line Therapy ◽

Payer Perspective ◽

Life Years ◽

Using Data

Background: The IMbrave 150 trial revealed that atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (atezo–bev) improves survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (1 year survival rate: 67.2% vs. 54.6%). We assessed the cost-effectiveness of atezo–bev vs. sorafenib as first-line therapy in patients with unresectable HCC from the US payer perspective. Methods: Using data from the IMbrave 150, we developed a Markov model to compare the lifetime cost and efficacy of atezo–bev as first-line systemic therapy in HCC with those of sorafenib. The main outcomes were life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Results: Atezo–bev demonstrated a gain of 0.44 QALYs, with an additional cost of USD 79,074. The ICER of atezo–bev was USD 179,729 per QALY when compared with sorafenib. The model was most sensitive to the overall survival hazard ratio and body weight. If we assumed that all patients at the end of the IMbrave 150 trial were cured of HCC, atezo–bev was cost-effective (ICER USD 53,854 per QALY). However, if all patients followed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data, the ICER of atezo–bev was USD 385,857 per QALY. Reducing the price of atezo–bev by 20% and 29% would satisfy the USD 150,000/QALY and 100,000/QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. Moreover, capping the duration of therapy to ≤12 months or reducing the dosage of bev to ≤10 mg/kg would render atezo–bev cost-effective. Conclusions: The long-term effectiveness of atezo–bev is a critical but uncertain determinant of its cost-effectiveness. Price reduction would favorably influence cost-effectiveness, even if long-term clinical outcomes were modest. Further studies to optimize the duration and dosage of therapy are warranted.

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Beyond ratios - flexible and resilient nurse staffing options to deliver cost-effective hospital care and address staff shortages: a simulation and economic modelling study

10.1101/2020.11.30.20240945 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Griffiths ◽

Christina Saville ◽

Jane E Ball ◽

Jeremy Jones ◽

Thomas Monks

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Nurse Staffing ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

List Type ◽

Economic Modelling ◽

The Face ◽

Hospital Wards

AbstractBackgroundIn the face of pressure to contain costs and make best use of scarce nurses, flexible staff deployment (floating staff between units and temporary hires) guided by a patient classification system may appear an efficient approach to meeting variable demand for care in hospitals.ObjectivesWe modelled the cost-effectiveness of different approaches to planning baseline numbers of nurses to roster on general medical/surgical units while using flexible staff to respond to fluctuating demand.Design and SettingWe developed an agent-based simulation model, where units move between being understaffed, adequately staffed or overstaffed as staff supply and demand, measured by the Safer Nursing Care Tool, varies. Staffing shortfalls are addressed firstly by floating staff from overstaffed units, secondly by hiring temporary staff. We compared a standard staffing plan (baseline rosters set to match average demand) with a ‘resilient’ plan set to match higher demand, and a ‘flexible’ plan, set at a lower level. We varied assumptions about temporary staff availability. We estimated the effect of unresolved low staffing on length of stay and death, calculating cost per life saved.ResultsStaffing plans with higher baseline rosters led to higher costs but improved outcomes. Cost savings from low baseline staff largely arose because shifts were left under staffed. Cost effectiveness for higher baseline staff was improved with high temporary staff availability. With limited temporary staff available, the resilient staffing plan (higher baseline staff) cost £9,506 per life saved compared to the standard plan. The standard plan cost £13,967 per life saved compared to the flexible (low baseline) plan. With unlimited temporary staff, the resilient staffing plan cost £5,524 per life saved compared to the standard plan and the standard plan cost £946 per life saved compared with the flexible plan. Cost-effectiveness of higher baseline staffing was more favourable when negative effects of high temporary staffing were modelled.ConclusionFlexible staffing can be guided by shift-by-shift measurement of patient demand, but proper attention must be given to ensure that the baseline number of staff rostered is sufficient.In the face of staff shortages, low baseline staff rosters with high use of flexible staff on hospital wards is not an efficient or effective use of nurses whereas high baseline rosters may be cost-effective. Flexible staffing plans that minimise the number of nurses routinely rostered are likely to harm patients because temporary staff may not be available at short notice.Study registration: ISRCTN 12307968Tweetable abstractEconomic model of hospital wards shows low baseline staff levels with high use of flexible staff are not cost-effective and don’t solve nursing shortages].What is already known?Because nursing is the largest staff group, accounting for a significant proportion of hospital’s variable costs, ward nurse staffing is frequently the target of cost containment measuresStaffing decisions need to address both the baseline staff establishment to roster, and how best to respond to fluctuating demand as patient census and care needs varyFlexible deployment of staff, including floating staff and using temporary hires, has the potential to minimise expenditure while meeting varying patient need, but high use of temporary staff may be associated with adverse outcomes.What this paper addsOur simulation shows that low baseline staff rosters that rely heavily on flexible staff increase the risk of patient death and provide cost savings largely because wards are often left short staffed under real world availability of temporary staff.A staffing plan set to meet average demand appears to be cost effective compared to a plan with a lower baseline but is still associated with frequent short staffing despite the use of flexible deployments.A staffing plan with a higher baseline, set to meet demand 90% of the time, is more resilient in the face of variation and may be highly cost effective

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Abstract P497: Re-analysis of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT): The Renal Consequences of Intensive versus Standard Blood Pressure Lowering

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.70.suppl_1.p497 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Leora Branfield Day ◽

David M Naimark

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Lifetime Cost ◽

Intensive Therapy ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Pressure Control ◽

Average Lifetime ◽

Ckd Progression ◽

Lifetime Horizon ◽

Increased Risk

Background: BP management guidelines suggest that persons with CKD should be treated to a SBP ≤ 140 mmHg. SPRINT compared this target to intensive SBP lowering (≤ 120 mmHg) in persons with and without CKD and found a reduced rate of CV events and all-cause mortality (ACM). However intensive therapy was associated with an increased risk of AKI. We extrapolated the results of SPRINT over a lifetime horizon to determine whether in the long-term, the benefit in terms of the primary outcome would be less economically attractive when the risks of more frequent AKI and subsequent CKD progression were considered. Methods: We re-configured the CKD Simulator, a Markov model of CKD progression, AKI events, fatal and non-fatal CV events, and ESRD. We recalibrated the model to be representative of the SPRINT cohort and compared intensive vs. standard blood pressure control among 10 million simulated persons with and without CKD over their lifetimes. Marginal treatment costs were calculated and hazard ratios for AKI, CV events and ACM observed in SPRINT were applied to the monthly probabilities of these events in the intensive SBP arm. Results: Lifetime average, discounted, costs per person associated with intensive vs. standard SBP lowering were predicted to be $35,811 and $30,584, respectively. Quality-adjusted, discounted average lifespans were 196.05 and 190.47 months, respectively. The cost of each quality-adjusted life-year gained by adopting intensive over standard BP lowering would be $11,220, significantly below the accepted cost-effectiveness threshold of $50,000. Intensive SBP control would reduce the lifetime incidence of at least one CV event by 5.5%, but increase the incidence of at least one AKI episode and ESRD by 1.7% and 0.7%, respectively. These differences were associated with average lifetime cost savings per person of $459 for CV events, but losses of $161 and $2,889 for AKI and ESRD. Discussion: Intensive SBP management would be cost-effective and associated with a significant lifetime reduction in CV events. However, there would be an increase in the lifetime risk of AKI and ESRD, contributing to 58% of the total increase in cost of intensive relative to usual SBP control. Intensive SBP lowering should be adopted judiciously in persons at high risk of ESRD.

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Cost-effectiveness of an Environmental Cleaning Bundle for Reducing Healthcare-associated Infections

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciz717 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (12) ◽

pp. 2461-2468 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nicole M White ◽

Adrian G Barnett ◽

Lisa Hall ◽

Brett G Mitchell ◽

Alison Farrington ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Cost Effectiveness Ratio ◽

Environmental Cleaning ◽

Monetary Benefit ◽

Healthcare Associated ◽

The Cost ◽

Net Monetary Benefit ◽

Hospital Cleaning

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant patient safety issue, with point prevalence estimates being ~5% in high-income countries. In 2016–2017, the Researching Effective Approaches to Cleaning in Hospitals (REACH) study implemented an environmental cleaning bundle targeting communication, staff training, improved cleaning technique, product use, and audit of frequent touch-point cleaning. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the environmental cleaning bundle for reducing the incidence of HAIs. Methods A stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 11 hospitals recruited from 6 Australian states and territories. Bundle effectiveness was measured by the numbers of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, Clostridium difficile infection, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci infections prevented in the intervention phase based on estimated reductions in the relative risk of infection. Changes to costs were defined as the cost of implementing the bundle minus cost savings from fewer infections. Health benefits gained from fewer infections were measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and net monetary benefit of adopting the cleaning bundle over existing hospital cleaning practices. Results Implementing the cleaning bundle cost $349 000 Australian dollars (AUD) and generated AUD$147 500 in cost savings. Infections prevented under the cleaning bundle returned a net monetary benefit of AUD$1.02 million and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $4684 per QALY gained. There was an 86% chance that the bundle was cost-effective compared with existing hospital cleaning practices. Conclusions A bundled, evidence-based approach to improving hospital cleaning is a cost-effective intervention for reducing the incidence of HAIs.

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Canadian cost-effectiveness model of BRCA-driven surgical prevention of breast/ovarian cancers compared to treatment if cancer develops

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care ◽

10.1017/s0266462319003519 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 104-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Manjusha Hurry ◽

Anthony Eccleston ◽

Matthew Dyer ◽

Paul Hoskins

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Brca Mutation ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Index Patient ◽

Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽

Base Case ◽

Degree Relative ◽

Uptake Rates ◽

Risk Reducing

ObjectivesTo assess the cost effectiveness from a Canadian perspective of index patient germline BRCA testing and then, if positive, family members with subsequent risk-reducing surgery (RRS) in as yet unaffected mutation carriers compared with no testing and treatment of cancer when it develops.MethodsA patient level simulation was developed comparing outcomes between two groups using Canadian data. Group 1: no mutation testing with treatment if cancer developed. Group 2: cascade testing (index patient BRCA tested and first-/second-degree relatives tested if index patient/first-degree relative is positive) with RRS in carriers. End points were the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and budget impact.ResultsThere were 29,102 index patients: 2,786 ovarian cancer and 26,316 breast cancer (BC). Using the base-case assumption of 44 percent and 21 percent of women with a BRCA mutation receiving risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and risk-reducing mastectomy, respectively, testing was cost effective versus no testing and treatment on cancer development, with an ICER of CAD 14,942 (USD 10,555) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), 127 and 104 fewer cases of ovarian and BC, respectively, and twenty-one fewer all-cause deaths. Testing remained cost effective versus no testing at the commonly accepted North American threshold of approximately CAD 100,000 (or USD 100,000) per QALY gained in all scenario analyses, and cost effectiveness improved as RRS uptake rates increased.ConclusionsPrevention via testing and RRS is cost effective at current RRS uptake rates; however, optimization of uptake rates and RRS will increase cost effectiveness and can provide cost savings.

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Cost–utility and cost–benefit analyses of school-based obesity prevention program

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09718-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Haiquan Xu ◽

Yanping Li ◽

Songming Du ◽

Qian Zhang ◽

Ailing Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health Outcome ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Obesity Prevention ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Cost Utility ◽

School Based ◽

Obesity Interventions

Abstract Background Economic evaluation of school-based obesity interventions could provide support for public health decision of obesity prevention. This study is to perform cost–utility and cost–benefit assessment of three school-based childhood obesity interventions including nutrition education intervention (NE), physical activity intervention (PA) and comprehensive intervention (both NE and PA, CNP) with secondary data analysis of one randomized controlled trial. Methods The standard cost-effectiveness analysis methods were employed from a societal perspective to the health outcome and costs that are attributable to the intervention. NE, PA and CNP were carried out separately for 2 semesters for childhood obesity interventions in primary schools. The additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) resulting from the interventions were measured as the health outcome. A cost–utility ratio (CUR) and A cost–benefit ratio (CBR) was calculated as the ratio of implementation costs to the total medical and productivity loss costs averted by the interventions. Results The CUR and CBR were ¥11,505.9 ($1646.0) per QALY and ¥1.2 benefit per ¥1 cost respectively, and the net saving was ¥73,659.6 ($10,537.9). The CUR and CBR for nutrition education and physical activity interventions were ¥21,316.4 ($3049.6) per QALY and ¥0.7 benefit per ¥1 cost, ¥28,417.1 ($4065.4) per QALY and ¥0.4 benefit per ¥1 cost, respectively (in 2019 RMB). Compared with PA intervention, the ICERs were ¥10,335.2 ($1478.6) and 4626.3 ($661.8) for CNP and NE respectively. The CBR was ¥1.2, 0.7, and 0.4 benefits per ¥1 cost for CNP, NE, and PA interventions, respectively. Net estimated savings were achieved only through CNP intervention, amounting to ¥73,659.6 ($10,537.9). Conclusions Comprehensive school-based obesity intervention is a beneficial investment that is both cost-effective and cost saving. Compared with PA intervention, both CNP and NE intervention were more cost-effective.

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Role Modeling as an Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Strategy

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics ◽

10.1097/dbp.0000000000000074 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 378-387 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

Ruby A. Natale ◽

Sarah E. Messiah ◽

Lila Asfour ◽

Susan B. Uhlhorn ◽

Alan Delamater ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Obesity Prevention ◽

Role Modeling ◽

Prevention Strategy ◽

Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽

Early Childhood Obesity

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The cost-effectiveness of government actions to reduce sodium intake through salt substitutes in Vietnam

10.21203/rs.3.rs-52885/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Colman Taylor ◽

Annet C Hoek ◽

Irene Deltetto ◽

Adrian Peacock ◽

Do Thi Phuong Ha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Sodium Intake ◽

Intervention Strategy ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Dietary Sodium ◽

Fish Sauce ◽

Regulatory Strategies ◽

Life Years ◽

The Cost

Abstract Background Dietary sodium reduction is recommended to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. In Vietnam food products including salt, fish sauce and bot canh contribute to ~70% of dietary sodium intake. Reduced sodium versions of these products can be produced by replacing some of the sodium chloride with potassium chloride. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of three alternative approaches to introducing reduced sodium products onto the market with a view to lowering population sodium intake in Vietnam.Methods The three salt substitution strategies included voluntary, subsidised and regulatory approaches targeting salt, fish sauce and bot canh products. Costs were modelled using the WHO-CHOICE methodology. A Markov cohort model was developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each strategy versus no intervention from the government perspective. The model linked each intervention strategy to assumed changes in levels of sodium intake and then to systolic blood pressure. Changes in SBP were linked to a probability of ischaemic heart disease or stroke. The model followed people over their lifetime to assess average costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained for each strategy. Results The voluntary salt substitution strategy was assumed to require no investment by government. Following ramp up (years 6+), the average annual costs for the subsidised and regulatory strategies were 21,808,968,902 ₫ (US$ 977,354) and 12,949,953,247 ₫ (US$ 580,410) respectively. Relative to no intervention, all three salt substitution strategies were found to be cost-effective. Cost savings were driven by reductions in strokes (32,595; 768,384; 2,366,480) and IHD events (22,830; 537,157; 1,648,590) for the voluntary, subsidised & regulatory strategies, respectively. The voluntary strategy was least cost-effective (-3,445 ₫ US$ -0.15; 0.009 QALYs gained) followed by the subsidised strategy (-43,189 ₫ US$ -1.86; 0.022 QALYs gained) and the regulatory strategy delivered the highest cost savings and health gains (-243,530 ₫ US$ -10.49; 0.074 QALYs gained). Conclusion This research shows that all three modelled salt substitution strategies would be good value for money relative to no intervention in Vietnam. The subsidised alternative would require the highest level of government investment, however the implementation costs will be exceeded by healthcare savings assuming a reasonable time horizon is considered.

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