Cost-effectiveness analysis of a colonoscopy screening navigator program designed for Hispanic men.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Health Economics

Background:

• Hispanic men face higher colorectal cancer (CRC) risks and lower screening rates than non-Hispanic white men.
• Health disparities in CRC screening persist across ethnic groups, necessitating targeted interventions.
• University Health System (UHS) implemented a Colorectal Cancer Male Navigation (CCMN) Program in 2011 for Hispanic men.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the CCMN Program for increasing CRC screening among Hispanic men.
• To determine the impact of patient navigation on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and life expectancy.
• To assess the economic benefits of a targeted CRC screening intervention.

Main Methods:

• A Markov model was utilized to analyze participant and program data.
• The study compared outcomes for Hispanic men participating in the CCMN Program versus usual care.
• Cost-effectiveness was calculated using metrics like QALYs gained and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).

Main Results:

• CCMN participants gained an average of 0.3 QALYs compared to non-participants.
• Life expectancy increased by an estimated 6 months for participants.
• The program yielded net healthcare savings of $1,148 per participant, with an ICER of $3,765 per QALY.

Conclusions:

• The CCMN Program demonstrates significant cost-effectiveness in increasing CRC screening for Hispanic men.
• Patient navigation effectively addresses barriers such as language, transportation, and knowledge gaps.
• Targeted interventions like CCMN are crucial for reducing health disparities and improving outcomes in colorectal cancer screening.