3-1 Discussion Response Posts: Evaluating Financial Information Original Post In

3-1 Discussion Response Posts: Evaluating Financial
Information
Original Post
Instructions
For this discussion, suppose you work for a healthcare
organization and your local government is considering establishing something
called a health effectiveness analysis program (HEAP). The purpose of this
program would be to look for areas of intervention that would promote health
and save money for the state and its people.
You have been asked to write a brief memo for your organization’s leadership.
Using the example of childhood immunizations, identify and briefly discuss
three or more issues or questions that are likely to arise in making economic
evaluations (e.g., cost–benefit or cost-effectiveness analyses) of health
interventions. What impact would this intervention have on demand and consumer
behavior in the long run?
Response Post Instructions
Respond to the following 2 Posts
Compare and contrast their memo with the above Original
Memo post. What additional questions or issues would you include
that they did not? Based on the analysis in their memo, would you recommend
initiating an intervention regarding childhood immunizations?
Post 1
Lakesha
Bentley Identify and briefly
discuss three or more issues or questions that are likely to arise in making
economic evaluations (e.g., cost–benefit or cost-effectiveness analyses) of
health interventions. What impact would this intervention have on demand and
consumer behavior in the long run? Childhood immunizations are important in the prevention
of diseases and death such as measles, whopping cough, and chickenpox. Children
vaccine programs are federally funded at no cost to children. This program
ensures that vaccines are given on schedule for healthier children, families,
and communities (CDC, 2016). Some of the types of vaccines that are given to
children as well as adults are meningococcal, Hep B, IPV, DTaP, Hib vaccine.
MMR, pneumococcal, varicella, rotavirus, Hep A, HPV, and seasonal
influenza. The health effectiveness analysis program (HEAP) is a way
to analyze the cost and health outcomes of one or more intervention. One issue
that arises when doing a health analysis of children immunizations is the
cost-benefit factors. The initial cost for implementing an immunization program
may be significantly higher depending on target population, dispersion of the
population, type of disease to be controlled and logistics barriers that may
rise (CDC, 2021). The cost effectiveness analysis evaluates the outcomes and
costs of interventions designed to improve health. It is a tool used for
improving the efficiency of health service delivery. The tool can also be used
for national awareness on the burden of diseases, political will to address the
problem, and access to financial resources to support long-term interventions.
The effectiveness of immunizations is very important as well; this comes down
to the general quality of services delivered. A great example is the polio
immunization; if not done to the required standards, those treated will experience
complications in the future. Reference Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016).
Vaccines for Children Program. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/index.html. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021).
Cost-effectiveness Analysis. https://www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/economics/cost-effectiveness/index.html. Post 2
3-1 Discussion: Evaluating Financial Information – Antigone Smith MEMORANDUM
To: Leadership
From: Antigone Smith
Date: June 23, 2022
Re: Health Effectiveness Analysis
Program (HEAP)
The purpose of this memo is to discuss the proposed HEAP,
a complimentary childhood immunization intervention which will promote health,
and ultimately save our state and consumers money. Additionally, to address
issues and/or questions related to the economic evaluations associated with the
program’s implementation. In terms of cost benefits; specifically, whether the
“benefits justify the costs” (Getzen, 2007), the answer is absolutely. From a
public health perspective and herd-immunity, vaccinations protect not just
individuals, but entire communities. Thus, rendering them one of the most
effective public health interventions. Moreover, they are cost effective,
producing substantial savings over time. “Vaccine-preventable diseases can be
very costly resulting in doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and premature
deaths. Additionally, national, state and local outbreak responses also take a
lot of time, money and manpower. Through timely vaccinations, the U.S. saves
billions of dollars” (Vaccinate Your Family, 2021). As it relates to concerns
about offering vaccinations at no cost, and whether this would be
cost-effective, “for every $1 spent on childhood vaccinations, our country
saves $10.90” (Vaccinate Your Family, 2021).
If
the past is prologue, this intervention would positively impact public health
in the long run. For instance, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program which
was created by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 demonstrates how
effective such a program might be, “because of vaccination, approximately 322
million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 premature deaths
will be prevented among children born during this period, at a cost savings to
society of $1.38 trillion” (Whitney et al., 2014). Likewise, the VFCs past
analyses suggest that implementation of a similar program is both cost
beneficial and effective. “Economic analysis for 2009 alone found that each
dollar invested in vaccines and administration, on average, resulted in $3 in
direct benefits and $10 in benefits when societal costs are included” (Whitney
et al., 2014).
With
regards to the organization specifically, a complimentary childhood
immunization program will exemplify the organization’s commitment to our consumers’
wellbeing. Which will hopefully increase our demand and impact their behavior
long term, making us their provider of choice.
Thank
you,
Antigone
Smith
References
Getzen, T. E. (2007). Health
care economics. John Wiley & Sons.
Vaccinate
Your Family. (2021, July 2). Vaccine Benefits. Retrieved June 23,
2022, from https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/why-vaccinate/vaccine-benefits/
Whitney, C.
G., Zhou, F., Singleton, J., Schuchat, A., & Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) (2014). Benefits from immunization during the vaccines for
children program era – United States, 1994-2013. MMWR. Morbidity and
mortality weekly report, 63(16), 352–355.