title: Benefit-cost analysis in public health.
abstract: This chapter gives an overview of benefit-cost analysis (BCA) and similar evaluation tools, such as cost-effectiveness analysis and technology-based standards, in the context of public health. We describe these evaluation tools, how they are used, their shortcomings, and how they should be interpreted. As with other powerful tools, they are subject to misuse and misinterpretation, even by professionals doing the analysis.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Industrial Administration, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Lave
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results