Making the case for investments to promote early child health: Economic analyses and their application in the policy world

Background: Research shows that the foundations for both learning and health occur early in life. Early health has an impact on health status and health-related cost for the entire life-course, and health is a mediator of economic productivity across the lifespan. However, our society hasn't yet taken an investment approach to promoting the health of young children.

Method: We conducted systematic literature reviews and economic analyses on short- and long-term health and economic impact of preventive interventions concerning young children under-6 years of age– exposure to tobacco, obesity, unintentional injury, and mental health.

Results: Results demonstrate the enormous magnitude of these health problems beginning early in life, and the tremendous health and cost implications of not intervening. While early childhood obesity tripled from 5% to 14% in the past 20 years, there are few interventions implemented targeting this age group. Economic evaluation studies are relatively limited, but results from tobacco control and injury prevention research show considerable returns. Intensive smoking cessation counseling would produce a benefit-cost ratio ranging from 3.5:1 to 12:1.

Conclusion: There is an enormous societal cost of failing to intervene. From society's perspective, the benefits are likely to outweigh the costs of such interventions. Child health is a key prosperity predictor, and deserves greater “investment” of resources to maximize the health and economic well-being of the entire U.S. population.

Policy implication: Effective policy must be based on broad public health approaches, rather than relying on individual behavior change or medical interventions alone. Multifaceted approaches are most effective.