Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J M Swint

Publications and source records attributed to J M Swint.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

An economic evaluation of a genetic screening program for Tay-Sachs disease.

The resolution of policy questions relating to medical genetic screening programs will not be without considerable difficulty. Examples include such issues as the optimal degree of screening program expansion, the relative values of screening for different genetic diseases, the appropriate sources of program funding (public vs. private), and the relative value of funding expanded genetic screening programs vs. research directed toward elimination of genetic traits themselves. Information on the net impact of the relevant alternatives is greatly needed, and this need will increase if the National Genetics Act receives funding approval. We have provided what is hopefully a contribution toward this end. While our analysis pertains to a specific disease and a specific screening program for that disease, the methodology is readily generalizable to other genetic diseases, as well as programs of any size or structure. Hopefully, this will serve to stimulate further research efforts that we believe are needed for the objective consideration of resource allocation alternatives.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1977

The application of economic analysis to evaluation of alcoholism rehabilitation programs.

We have presented an algorithm designed to facilitate the application of economic analysis to the evaluation of individual alcoholism rehabilitation programs. In doing so we have attempted to delineate the limitations of such analyses as well as the type and value of information they provide. After a brief review of the basic principles of cost-benefit analysis and a listing of the economic costs of alcoholism, a case study was developed as an heuristic device to illustrate the algorithm and the potential utility of cost-benefit analysis, particularly when used in conjunction with sensitivity analysis, as a logical framework for the evaluation effort.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1976

Cost-benefit analysis of fluoridation in Houston, Texas.

Most previous cost-benefit analyses of fluoridation programs have been retrospective in approach and have biased their results in favor of fluoridation. This study performed a prospective cost-benefit analysis of fluoridating a segment of the water supply for Houston, Texas, and explicitly introduced and evaluated the time pattern of the costs and benefits. It was shown that neglect of the time structure of the costs and benefits would significantly bias the results. A benefit-cost ratio of 1.51 and a net present value (or "social profit") of $1,102,970 were found. The results are biased downwards and should be considered a lower bound. Thus the results indicate an investment in a fluoridation program by Houston would be a socially profitable one.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cost analysis: concepts and application.

Public health nurses are increasingly called upon to justify the cost of care or to decide which of two alternative programs is more cost-effective. Cost studies can be complex and difficult to conduct, but an understanding of the basic techniques allows nurses to fully participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that greatly impact the health of the community. This article defines some of the basic terms used in health economics, discusses standard methods of cost analysis, and provides an example of neonatal screening to illustrate methods of describing, measuring, and assigning a value to cost items.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparative cost analysis of newborn screening for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Texas.

OBJECTIVE: Texas mandates a two-test newborn screening program for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): one test at birth and a second test at approximately one to two weeks after birth. The authors compared the dollar cost of detecting infants with CAH clinically and through the screening program. METHODS: The authors estimated the costs of screening newborns in 1994 for CAH, including resources used by the Texas Department of Health and the broader cost to society. RESULTS: Fifteen infants with classic CAH were diagnosed in Texas in 1994 among 325,521 infants born (1:21,701 cumulative incidence). Seven infants were detected clinically and the others were detected through screening, six on the first screen and two on the second screen. The first screen identified all previously undetected infants with severe salt-wasting CAH. The cumulative cost to diagnose the seven infants detected clinically was $79,187. The incremental costs for the screening program were $115,169 per additional infant diagnosed through the first screen and $242,865 per additional infant diagnosed through the second screen. CONCLUSIONS: If the goal is early diagnosis of infants with the severe salt-wasting form of CAH, a single screen is effective. If the goal is to detect infants with the simple virilizing form of the disorder who may benefit from early treatment, the second screen is necessary, but it is not as cost-effective as the first screen.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗