Economic evaluation of programmes aiming at eradicating infectious diseases

The subject of this article is to discuss the global and regional economic aspects of programmes for eradicating infectious diseases. The perspective on this issue is that scarce health care resources should be employed in the best possible way. The task is then to examine what the best possible use might be. A starting point is by asking the relevant policy questions attached to eradication: Is there a suitable technique, what are the costs, and what are the benefits? Of particular importance is the opportunity cost of using resources on eradication when other health care problems may require more urgent donation of resources. The paper attempts to set up a generic model for economic evaluation of eradication programmes. But, as there are many different treatment strategies varying from one country to another, such a generic model may need modifications to suit a particular strategy. However, the paper is contextual and should only be viewed as guidance for those wishing to conduct an economic analysis of eradication programmes, or as a initiative to create discussion among health care decision makers.