3193.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 1

Abstract #7338

Cost-Effectiveness of Operational Approaches to the Polio Eradication Campaign

Ann Levin, PHD, MPH, Partnerships for Health Reform, URC, 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-215-5907, Ann_Levin@abtassoc.com and Sujata Ram, MPH, Partnerships for Health Reform, D.A, 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814.

The polio eradication campaign has made substantial progress towards reaching its goal of global eradication. As it prepares to accelerate its efforts in the year 2000, finding ways to improve the allocation of resources will assist it to reach its goal. The USAID funded Partnerships for Health Reform (PHR) project based in Bethesda, Maryland is conducting a multi-country cost effectiveness study of the mix of operational approaches being utilized by the global polio eradication campaign. The purpose of this study is to illustrate that cost considerations can be beneficial to the eradication effort and cost savings can be realized without lowering effectiveness. PHR's study can assist decision makers to more effectively allocate their resources for polio eradication activities.

Data on the costs and effectiveness of mixes of polio eradication operational strategies in 2-3 countries has been collected by PHR from regional World Health Organization (WHO) offices, country WHO offices, Ministries of Health, and donors.

The criteria for country case study selection includes the following: good AFP surveillance, mop-ups started, and cost and effectiveness data available. The two case studies include Cambodia and Turkey. The case studies present various scenarios of mixes of operational approaches that highlight alternatives that will be costed across varying ranges of surveillance data. These strategies include conducting national immunization days and mop-up campaigns (targeted door-to-door immunization campaigns). Variations in scenarios are based on differences in timing, catchment size and the quality of surveillance data.

Learning Objectives: 1. At the end of this presentation, participants should know about the costs of different operational approaches to the polio eradication campaign. 2. Participants should know about aspects of campaigns that affect costs

Keywords: Immunizations, Cost Issues

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Partnerships for Health Reform
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA