On assessing the benefits of public mosquito control practices

Public mosquito control can be characterized as a nonmarket good whereby the absence of price-quantity information normally used to determine demand and benefits creates a dilemma to the researcher. In response to this dilemma economists have advanced several methods to assess demand components and value of nonmarket goods. The contingent market valuation (CMV) approach is but one method. This paper outlines the relevant theory behind benefit measures, and develops and demonstrates a CMV approach that can be used to value public mosquito control.