A cost-effectiveness analysis of strategies to reduce infant mortality

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Public Health Policy
• Neonatal Mortality Research

Background:

• Neonatal mortality, accounting for two-thirds of infant deaths within the first 27 days of life, presents a significant public health challenge.
• Existing health inputs and government programs aim to reduce neonatal mortality, but their cost-effectiveness varies.
• Understanding the economic impact of interventions is crucial for optimizing resource allocation in maternal and child health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the cost-effectiveness of various health inputs and government programs in reducing race-specific neonatal mortality.
• To identify the most economically viable strategies for improving neonatal survival rates.
• To analyze differential benefits across racial groups for selected health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an economic model of the family as the analytic framework.
• Employed ordinary least squares and two-stage least squares to estimate infant health production functions.
• Compiled cost estimates from published sources for interventions implemented in large U.S. counties in 1977.

Main Results:

• Early initiation of prenatal care was identified as the most cost-effective method for reducing neonatal mortality for both Black and White infants.
• Black populations demonstrated greater benefits per dollar invested in health inputs compared to White populations.
• Neonatal intensive care, while highly effective, was found to be among the least cost-effective strategies.

Conclusions:

• Prioritizing early prenatal care offers the most efficient approach to reducing neonatal mortality across racial groups.
• Targeted investments in prenatal care can yield significant cost-effective benefits, particularly for Black communities.
• While neonatal intensive care is crucial for survival, its high cost limits its cost-effectiveness as a broad public health strategy.