Estimating the cost-effectiveness of brief interventions for heavy drinking in primary health care across Europe

Angus, C., Thomas, C., Anderson, P., Meier, P. and Brennan, A. (2017) Estimating the cost-effectiveness of brief interventions for heavy drinking in primary health care across Europe. European Journal of Public Health, 27(2), pp. 345-351. (doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw122) (PMID:27558943)

Abstract

Background: Screening and Brief Interventions for alcohol are an effective public health measure to tackle alcohol-related harm, however relatively few countries across the European Union (EU) have implemented them widely. This may be due to a lack of understanding of the specific financial implications of such policies within each country. Methods: A novel ‘meta-modelling’ approach was developed based on previous SBI cost-effectiveness models for four EU countries. Data were collected on the key factors which drive cost-effectiveness for all 28 EU countries (mean per capita alcohol consumption, proportion of the population to be screened over a 10-year SBI programme; per capita alcohol-attributable mortality; per capita alcohol-attributable morbidity; mean cost of an alcohol-related hospitalisation and mean SBI-delivery staff cost). Regression analysis was used to fit two meta-models estimating net programme costs and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) gained, to calculate cost-effectiveness estimates specific to each EU country. Results: Costs are dependent upon the proportion of the population covered by the screening programme, the country-specific per capita mortality and morbidity rate and the country-specific costs of GP care and hospitalisation. QALYs depend on the proportion of the population screened and per capita alcohol consumption. Despite large inter-country variability in factor values, SBI programmes are likely to be cost-effective in 24 out of 28 EU countries and cost-saving in 50% of countries. Conclusion: Implementing national programmes of SBI in primary health care would be a cost-effective means of reducing alcohol-attributable morbidity and deaths in almost all countries of the EU.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Meier, Professor Petra
• Authors: Angus, C., Thomas, C., Anderson, P., Meier, P., and Brennan, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: European Journal of Public Health
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1101-1262
• ISSN (Online): 1464-360X
• Published Online: 24 August 2016