Economic analysis of the health impacts of housing improvement studies: a systematic review

Fenwick, E., MacDonald, C. and Thomson, H. (2013) Economic analysis of the health impacts of housing improvement studies: a systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 67, pp. 835-845. (doi: 10.1136/jech-2012-202124)

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Abstract

Background: Economic evaluation of public policies has been advocated but rarely performed. Studies from a systematic review of the health impacts of housing improvement included data on costs and some economic analysis. Examination of these data provides an opportunity to explore the difficulties and the potential for economic evaluation of housing. Methods: Data were extracted from all studies included in the systematic review of housing improvement which had reported costs and economic analysis (n=29/45). The reported data were assessed for their suitability to economic evaluation. Where an economic analysis was reported the analysis was described according to pre-set definitions of various types of economic analysis used in the field of health economics. Results: 25 studies reported cost data on the intervention and/or benefits to the recipients. Of these, 11 studies reported data which was considered amenable to economic evaluation. A further four studies reported conducting an economic evaluation. Three of these studies presented a hybrid ‘balance sheet’ approach and indicated a net economic benefit associated with the intervention. One cost-effectiveness evaluation was identified but the data were unclearly reported; the cost-effectiveness plane suggested that the intervention was more costly and less effective than the status quo. Conclusions: Future studies planning an economic evaluation need to (i) make best use of available data and (ii) ensure that all relevant data are collected. To facilitate this, economic evaluations should be planned alongside the intervention with input from health economists from the outset of the study. When undertaken appropriately, economic evaluation provides the potential to make significant contributions to housing policy.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fenwick, Professor Elisabeth and Thomson, Dr Hilary
Authors: Fenwick, E., MacDonald, C., and Thomson, H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Publisher:British Medical Association
ISSN:0143-005X
ISSN (Online):1470-2738
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 67:835-845
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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