DOES HEALTH EDUCATION PROVIDE A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT?

This report presents the results of a benefit-cost analysis of an infant car safety program undertaken by an HMO in Southern California. Study findings indicate that while an individual counseling session with a health educator was useful in terms of promoting proper use of car seats, these behavioral outcomes did not translate into sufficient cost savings to the HMO to justify program expenditures. Issues surrounding decay of program impact over time, disenrollment of program participants and a labor-intensive intervention strategy were identified as contributing to the negative outcome. A revised program employing group sessions with special emphasis on recruitment of high risk enrollees is presented as a potentially cost-effective alternative.

• Corporate Authors:

  Group Health Association of America, Incorporated

  624 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 700
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Ershoff, D
  • Wasserman, F
• Publication Date: 1982

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 4-14
• Serial:
  • Group Health Journal
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Group Health Association of America, Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Behavior; Benefit cost analysis; Cost effectiveness; Education; Health
• Uncontrolled Terms: Programs
• Old TRIS Terms: Behavioral objectives
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00385748
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-035 992
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM