Resources Repository
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ArticlePublication 2020Infectious Disease Pandemic Planning and Response: Incorporating Decision Analysis
During a pandemic, decisions must be made under rapidly changing, uncertain conditions. Despite advances in …
During a pandemic, decisions must be made under rapidly changing, uncertain conditions. Despite advances in analytical methods for gaining early situational awareness (i.e., of a disease’s transmissibility and severity) and for predicting the likely effectiveness of interventions, a major gap exists globally in terms of integrating this information in policy documents. The authors argue that mathematical and statistical models are important tools for pandemic planning and response. Once an outbreak of pandemic potential has been…
Mathematical Models | Decision Analysis | Health Systems | Government/Law | Health/Medicine | Global -
ArticlePublication 2021Cost-Effectiveness of Hypertension Treatment by Pharmacists in Black Barbershops
The Los Angeles Barbershop Blood Pressure Study (LABBPS) examined the effectiveness and cost of a …
The Los Angeles Barbershop Blood Pressure Study (LABBPS) examined the effectiveness and cost of a one-year pharmacist-led hypertension care intervention in Black-owned barbershops in Los Angeles County, focused on non-Hispanic Black men with uncontrolled hypertension. Using a discrete event simulation, the researchers projected the 10-year health outcomes and health care costs associated with the intervention compared to a control group. The costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated from a health care sector perspective, with…
Mathematical Models | Cost-Effectiveness Analysis | Chronic Disease/Risk | Clinical Care | Health/Medicine | North America -
Resource PackPublication, Teaching Resource 2021Resource Pack: Risk, Economics, and Decisions
This resource pack, curated by the Center for Health Decision Science, includes articles from the …
This resource pack, curated by the Center for Health Decision Science, includes articles from the Risk Analysis special issue “Risk Assessment, Economic Evaluation, and Decisions” honoring Professor John Evans. The special issue was guest edited by CHDS’ Deputy Director Lisa A. Robinson and builds upon a 2019 workshop organized by Ms. Robinson and CHDS faculty James K. Hammitt. Articles include: James K. Hammitt, Lisa A. Robinson. Introduction to Special Issue on Risk Assessment,…
Decision Analysis | Risk Analysis | Policy/Regulation -
ArticlePublication 2021Distributional Health and Financial Consequences of Increased Cigarette Tax in Iran: An ECEA
This study examines the potential impact of a tax-induced cigarette price increase on financial and …
This study examines the potential impact of a tax-induced cigarette price increase on financial and health outcomes across different socioeconomic groups in Iran. Using pooled cross-sectional data from Household Income and Expenditure Surveys (2002–2017) and population data from Iran in 2019, an extended cost-effectiveness analysis (ECEA) methodology is employed to model the effects of a hypothetical increase in cigarette tax. The analysis evaluates health benefits, health expenditures averted, additional tax revenues generated, changes in household…
Mathematical Models | Health Outcomes | Cost-Effectiveness Analysis | Policy/Regulation | Health/Medicine | Middle East & North Africa -
ArticlePublication 2021Alleviating the Burden of Diabetes with Health Equity Funds: Economic Evaluation of the Health & Financial Risk Protection Benefits in Cambodia
This study examines the potential distributional health and financial impacts of implementing strategies to provide …
This study examines the potential distributional health and financial impacts of implementing strategies to provide financial coverage for diabetes services through Health Equity Funds (HEF) in Cambodia. Utilizing a Markov model, the trajectory of diabetes is projected over a 45-year period to estimate societal costs, health outcomes, and individual out-of-pocket expenditures associated with six HEF coverage strategies. Input parameters are derived from published literature and household survey data. Strategies covered different combinations of types of…
Mathematical Models | Health Outcomes | Cost-Effectiveness Analysis | Chronic Disease/Risk | Health/Medicine | Asia & Pacific -
ArticlePublication 2020Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies
Antibody testing can determine previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Recently, the UK government has made …
Antibody testing can determine previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Recently, the UK government has made antibody testing available to anyone wanting it, even if there is no clinical indication. The purpose of this article is to provide guidance for when to consider antibody testing in individuals with and without symptoms suggestive of current or past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Key points made by the authors include: (1) antibody testing is likely to be most useful 2 weeks…
Probability/Bayes | Test Performance | Technology Assessment | Infectious Diseases | Clinical Care | Health/Medicine -
ToolInteractive 2020COVID-19 Antibody Tests: Calculator for Interpreting Test Results
Antibody testing can determine previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus. This interactive calculator, linked to the article …
Antibody testing can determine previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus. This interactive calculator, linked to the article below* on antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus, allows users to vary the prior probability of infection, the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing, and the specificity of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Key points made in the article accompanying the interactive include: (1) antibody testing is likely to be most useful 2 weeks after infection, (2) sensitivity and specificity will vary over time and…
Probability/Bayes | Test Performance | Technology Assessment | Infectious Diseases | Clinical Care | Health/Medicine | Science/Technology -
EditorialPublication 2020Waiting for Certainty on COVID-19 Antibody Tests — At What Cost?
This perspective anticipates the availability of serologic antibody testing and considers its potential usefulness in mitigation …
This perspective anticipates the availability of serologic antibody testing and considers its potential usefulness in mitigation policy to reduce COVID-19 transmission. For example: Could we screen for serologic antibodies as a proxy for possible immunity and identify people who could return to the workplace with less severe mitigation measures? The authors acknowledge the uncertainties raised by many policy actors, including the WHO, such as, "Do antibodies confer immunity and, if so, for how long? How accurate is…
Probability/Bayes | Test Performance | Technology Assessment | Infectious Diseases | Health Systems | Policy/Regulation | Government/Law | Health/Medicine | Global | North America -
Resource PackPublication, Teaching Resource 2020Resource Pack: Cost-Effectiveness of SSB Excise Taxes
The use of fiscal instruments, such as taxes or subsidies, to promote healthier dietary behavior …
The use of fiscal instruments, such as taxes or subsidies, to promote healthier dietary behavior has been of increasing interest in the last decade as the evidence-base builds for the health and economic consequences of obesity, overweight, and unhealthy eating. The motivation for using fiscal instruments in nutrition policy is to make the unhealthy option less affordable and less economically attractive by increasing the price via a tax, and therefore reduce the incentive to consume…
Mathematical Models | Health Outcomes | Evidence Synthesis | Microsimulation | Cost-Effectiveness Analysis | Child/Nutrition | Chronic Disease/Risk | Policy/Regulation | Business/Industry | Economics/Finance | Food/Agriculture | Government/Law | Health/Medicine | North America | Latin America & Caribbean | Europe | Oceania