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THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF PREVENTION

Volume 28, Issue 489                                             April 16, 2007

Matthew Gever

Prevention used to mean large-scale public health initiatives such as hand washing, clean water and refrigeration, all in the name of fighting large public infections. Now, prevention often means managing the risk factors that can lead to chronic illness.

A new report from Johns Hopkins outlines steps that states can take to maximize prevention efforts, while quantifying how prevention can produce long-term cost savings and better health indicators. The report recommends that legislators cover preventive services for Medicaid beneficiaries and state employees, as well as post-screening follow-ups and treatment. Researchers also encourage the federal government to provide states with incentives to develop programs that promote healthy behaviors.

 

INTERVENTION	DOLLARS SAVED
Water Fluoridation	For every $1 spent, $38 saved on dental treatment costs
School-based STD/pregnancy prevention	For every $1 spent, $2.65 saved in medical and social costs
Preconception care for women with diabetes	For every $1 spent, $1.86 saved by preventing birth defects
Arthritis self-help programs	For every $1 spent, $3.42 saved in physician-hospital costs
Colorectal cancer screening	Saves 5,700-11,900 lives annually and $267 million to $374 in excess costs
Breast cancer screening	Saves 100-700 lives annually and $41.9 million to $94.2 million in hospital costs related to late-stage treatments
Influenza vaccination	Saves $117 per person vaccinated
Aspirin for adults at high risk for heart attack	Saves 80,000 lives annually and $70 per person advised

Source: Embracing Health: Tools and Systems for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, April, 2006.

© Copyright 2007, State Health Notes