The opportunity costs of screening children for asthma

摘要

The current health reform debate has laid bare the challenge with determining appropriate care in an environment of uncertain medical effectiveness and rising health care costs. Comparative and cost-effectiveness studies are policy tools that permit decision-makers, theoretically, to allocate limited resources toward the greatest health benefit. Without these tools, opportunity to improve health may be missed. For example, would investing in early childhood screening miss an opportunity for greater health benefits from an investment in improving adherence to treatments for asthma?