Dataset Information

The Economic Cost of Communicable Disease Surveillance in Local Public Health Agencies.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We identify economic costs associated with communicable disease (CD) monitoring/surveillance in Colorado local public health agencies and identify possible economies of scale.

Data sources/study setting

Data were collected via a survey of local public health employees engaged in CD work. Survey respondents logged time spent on CD surveillance for 2-week periods in the spring of 2014 and fall of 2014. Forty-three of the 54 local public health agencies in Colorado participated.

Study design

We used a microcosting approach. We estimated a statistical cost function using cost as a function of the number of reported investigable diseases during the matched 2-week period. We also controlled for other independent variables, including case mix, characteristics of the agency, the community, and services provided.

Data collection/extraction methods

Data were collected from a microcosting survey using time logs.

Principal findings

Costs increased at a decreasing rate as cases increased, with both cases (β = 431.5, p < .001) and cases squared (β = -3.62, p = .05) statistically significant.

Conclusions and implications

The results of the model suggest economies of scale. Cost per unit is estimated to be one-third lower for high-volume agencies as compared to low-volume agencies. Cost savings could potentially be achieved if smaller agencies shared services.

SUBMITTER: Atherly A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5682125 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The Economic Cost of Communicable Disease Surveillance in Local Public Health Agencies.

Atherly Adam A Whittington Melanie M VanRaemdonck Lisa L Lampe Sarah S

Health services research 20171201

<h4>Objective</h4>We identify economic costs associated with communicable disease (CD) monitoring/surveillance in Colorado local public health agencies and identify possible economies of scale.<h4>Data sources/study setting</h4>Data were collected via a survey of local public health employees engaged in CD work. Survey respondents logged time spent on CD surveillance for 2-week periods in the spring of 2014 and fall of 2014. Forty-three of the 54 local public health agencies in Colorado particip ...[more]

PMID: 29130264

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Dataset Information

The Economic Cost of Communicable Disease Surveillance in Local Public Health Agencies.

Objective

Data sources/study setting

Study design

Data collection/extraction methods

Principal findings

Conclusions and implications

Publications

The Economic Cost of Communicable Disease Surveillance in Local Public Health Agencies.

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