Economic evaluation of "healthy beginnings" an early childhood intervention to prevent obesity. (27th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hayes, Alison; Lung, Tom; Wen, Li Ming; Baur, Louise; Rissel, Chris; Howard, Kirsten
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 22:Number 7(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1709
• Page End: 1715
• Publication Date: 2014-03-27
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.20747
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="oby20747-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To determine the costs and cost‐effectiveness of an early childhood home visiting program delivered to families in socio‐economically disadvantaged areas of Sydney, Australia during 2007‐2010.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20747-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Economic evaluation of a randomized controlled trial, the healthy beginnings (HB) trial, from the perspective of the health funder. Intervention resources were determined from local health district records in 2012 $AUD. Health‐care resource utilization was determined through patient‐level data linkage.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20747-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The cost of HB intervention in the clinical trial over 2 years was $1309 per child (2012 $AUD). The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was $4230 per unit BMI avoided and $631 per 0.1 reduction in BMI <italic>z</italic>‐score. It was estimated that the program could be delivered in practice for $709 per child; with incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios of $2697 per unit BMI avoided and $376 per 0.1 reduction in BMI <italic>z</italic>‐score.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20747-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>We present the first economic evaluation of an effective obesity prevention initiative in early childhood. HB is a moderately priced intervention with demonstrated effectiveness that offers similar or better value for money than existing obesity prevention or treatment interventions targeted at older children.</p> </sec> </abstract>