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Do personal and societal preferences differ by socio-demographic group?
Peter Franks1, Erica I Lubetkin, Joy Melnikow
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA. pfranks@ucdavis.edu
Health Economics
|August 25, 2006
Summary
Cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) aim for equitable health state values. This study found minimal differences in EQ-5D Index and EQ Visual Analog Scale scores across socio-demographic groups, suggesting EQ-5D Index use in CEAs may be equitable.
Area of Science:
- Health economics
- Societal preferences
- Health equity
Background:
- Equitable cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) require consistent health state valuations across diverse populations.
- Societal and personal preferences for health states may vary by socio-demographic factors, potentially introducing inequities into CEAs.
- The EQ-5D Index (community preferences) and EQ Visual Analog Scale (personal preferences) are commonly used preference measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether EQ-5D Index and EQ Visual Analog Scale scores systematically differ across socio-demographic groups.
- To assess the potential for socio-demographic inequities in cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) due to preference measure disparities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the US 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
- Included socio-demographic variables, EQ-5D Index scores, and EQ Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS) scores in the analysis.
- Examined systematic differences in EQ-5D Index and EQ VAS scores across socio-demographic strata.
Main Results:
- Observed small differences in EQ-5D Index and EQ VAS scores between socio-demographic groups.
- Found that these differences were mostly not statistically significant.
- Indicated minimal variation in preference scores based on socio-demographic characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest that the EQ-5D Index may not introduce socio-demographic inequities into cost-effectiveness analyses.
- The EQ-5D Index appears to provide relatively consistent valuations across different population segments.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the equity implications of using the EQ-5D Index in CEAs.
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