Table 5 Triangulation with key recommendations on the economic evaluation of public health interventions

1

Review of evidence:

Systematic review or in-depth review of evidence prior to the economic evaluation of PHI

2

Effectiveness and economic appraisal:

Economic appraisal linked to the appraisal of effectiveness of PHI

3

Study designs:

When randomized trial not feasible, quasi-experimental designs or econometric techniques

4

Perspective:

Societal perspective (public sector may be used where appropriate)

5

Time horizon:

Trial data may need modeling but requires reliable link between intermediate and long-term outcomes

6

Types of economic evaluation preferred:

CBA and CCA preferred but CUA and CEA also recommended whenever health is the sole benefit

7

Nonhealth costs and benefits of PHI:

Need to capture costs and benefits falling on nonhealth sectors

8

Discounting rates:

Lower discounting rates for PHI (1.5% for NICE, 3% for CDC) if costs and health effects accrued > 1 year

9

Equity considerations:

Compare differences in health status changes between different health economic groups

10

Wider spectrum of research methods:

Understand contextual and process indicators affecting behavior change and other variables