Related Experiment Videos
Cost-effectiveness of a school-based tobacco-use prevention program
L Y Wang1, L S Crossett, R Lowry
1Surveillance and Evaluation Research Branch, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. lgw0@cdc.gov
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|September 25, 2001
Summary
The school-based Project Toward No Tobacco Use (TNT) program is highly cost-effective, saving money per life year and quality-adjusted life year gained. This tobacco prevention program offers significant value for public health initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Tobacco use prevention programs in schools are crucial for long-term health outcomes.
- Evaluating the economic impact of interventions is essential for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cost-effectiveness of the school-based Project Toward No Tobacco Use (TNT) program.
- To quantify savings in life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and medical costs.
Main Methods:
- Decision analysis using data from a 2-year efficacy study of the TNT program.
- Measured benefits included LYs saved, QALYs saved, and medical care costs saved (discounted at 3%).
- Calculated cost-effectiveness as cost per LY saved and cost per QALY saved.
Main Results:
- The TNT program cost $16,403 and prevented an estimated 34.9 students from becoming established smokers.
- The program resulted in savings of $13,316 per LY saved and $8,482 per QALY saved.
- TNT was found to be cost-saving across a range of model parameter estimates.
Conclusions:
- The Project Toward No Tobacco Use (TNT) program is highly cost-effective compared to other prevention interventions.
- School-based tobacco prevention programs like TNT warrant serious consideration by policymakers and program planners.