Dataset Information

Cost-effectiveness of a programme of screening and brief interventions for alcohol in primary care in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As alcohol-related health problems continue to rise, the attention of policy-makers is increasingly turning to Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) programmes. The effectiveness of such programmes in primary healthcare is well evidenced, but very few cost-effectiveness analyses have been conducted and none which specifically consider the Italian context.

Methods

The Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model has been used to model the cost-effectiveness of government pricing and public health policies in several countries including England. This study adapts the model using Italian data to evaluate a programme of screening and brief interventions in Italy. Results are reported as Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs) of SBI programmes versus a 'do-nothing' scenario.

Results

Model results show such programmes to be highly cost-effective, with estimated ICERs of €550/Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained for a programme of SBI at next GP registration and €590/QALY for SBI at next GP consultation. A range of sensitivity analyses suggest these results are robust under all but the most pessimistic assumptions.

Conclusions

This study provides strong support for the promotion of a policy of screening and brief interventions throughout Italy, although policy makers should be aware of the resource implications of different implementation options.

SUBMITTER: Angus C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3936801 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Cost-effectiveness of a programme of screening and brief interventions for alcohol in primary care in Italy.

Angus Colin C Scafato Emanuele E Ghirini Silvia S Torbica Aleksandra A Ferre Francesca F Struzzo Pierluigi P Purshouse Robin R Brennan Alan A

BMC family practice 20140206

<h4>Background</h4>As alcohol-related health problems continue to rise, the attention of policy-makers is increasingly turning to Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) programmes. The effectiveness of such programmes in primary healthcare is well evidenced, but very few cost-effectiveness analyses have been conducted and none which specifically consider the Italian context.<h4>Methods</h4>The Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model has been used to model the cost-effectiveness of government pricing and ...[more]

PMID: 24502342

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Dataset Information

Cost-effectiveness of a programme of screening and brief interventions for alcohol in primary care in Italy.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Cost-effectiveness of a programme of screening and brief interventions for alcohol in primary care in Italy.

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