A systematic review of economic evaluations of public health interventions targeting alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug use and problematic gambling: Using a case study to assess transferability. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nystrand, Camilla; Gebreslassie, Mihretab; Ssegonja, Richard; Feldman, Inna; Sampaio, Filipa
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 125:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Economic evaluation -- Systematic review -- Tobacco -- Quality assessment -- Alcohol -- Illicit drugs; Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: Preventing alcohol-, illicit drug- and tobacco use is cost-effective. Transferring economic evidence across settings is possible within a public health setting. No economic evidence for interventions targeting problematic gambling. Abstract: Aims: To identify and assess the cost-effectiveness of public health interventions targeting the use of alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco, as well as problematic gambling behavior (ANDTS), and consider whether the results from these evaluations are transferable to the Swedish setting. Methods: A systematic review of economic evaluations within the area of ANDTS was conducted including studies published between January 2000 and November 2018, identified through Medline, PsychINFO, Web of Science, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database and Health Technology Assessment. The quality of relevant studies and the possibilities of transferring results were assessed using criteria set out by the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment. Results: Out of 54 relevant studies, 39 were of moderate to high quality and included in the review, however none for problematic gambling. Eighty-one out of a total of 91 interventions were cost-effective. The interventions largely focusing on taxed-based policies or screening and brief interventions. Thirteen of these studies were deemed to have high potential for transferability, with effect estimates considered relevant, and with good feasibility for implementation in Sweden. Conclusions: Interventions targeting alcohol- and illicit-drug use and tobacco use are cost-effective approaches, and results may be transferred to the Swedish setting. Caution must be taken regarding cost estimates and the quality of the evidence which the studies are based upon.