308705
Economic Evaluation of Outbreak Responses of Pertussis, Tuberculosis and Fungal Meningitis in New River Valley, Virginia
Background: A pertussis outbreak occurred at New River Valley in 2011, with an incidence of 72 confirmed cases. A tuberculosis outbreak occurred in a correctional facility at New River Valley in 2011, with a single case and tuberculosis exposure to other inmates and staff at the facility. New River Valley was the epicenter of the multi-state fungal meningitis outbreak during 2012-2013. New River Health District responded to these outbreaks and they were controlled.
Methods: Data collected by the New River Health District, Virginia Department of Health, of the outbreak responses to pertussis, tuberculosis and fungal meningitis between 2011-2013 are used in this study. Cost-effectiveness analysis was carried out on each of the three outbreaks of pertussis, tuberculosis and fungal meningitis in New River Valley, Virginia. The effectiveness was measured in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) averted.
Results: We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for pertussis, tuberculosis, and fungal meningitis outbreaks to be $7,468/DALY averted, -15,461/DALY averted and $415/DALY averted.
Conclusion: Tuberculosis pre-screening is a cost-saving intervention in correctional facilities and should be readily adopted. Fungal meningitis outbreak response was comparatively more cost-effective to the pertussis outbreak response.
Public Health Implications: Comparative evaluation of multiple public health interventions assists the health department in prioritization and optimal allocation of limited resources.
Learning Areas:
Biostatistics, economicsEpidemiology
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Identify the costs and epidemiological benefits of outbreak responses of pertussis, tuberculosis and fungal meningitis in New River Valley, Virginia.
Evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for each of the disease outbreak responses.
Compare the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios to prioritize the limited resources of the local health department among different interventions.
Keyword(s): Economic Analysis, Epidemiology
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Virginia Tech. My research focus is on epidemiological modeling of infectious diseases and economic evaluation of public health interventions and systems.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.