Investing in Oregon's expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP): documenting costs and benefits.
OBJECTIVE
To apply Virginia's cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model developed for a large Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to Oregon's small EFNEP. To estimate a cost-benefit ratio for Oregon's EFNEP based on retrospective analysis of program costs and optimal nutrition behaviors (ONBs) in relation to potential health-related savings for diet-related chronic diseases/conditions.


METHODS
Standard components of a CBA.


METHODS
368 adult graduates of Oregon State University's Extension Service EFNEP during the 1999-2000 program year.


METHODS
Prior participation in the EFNEP with a mean of 10.4 lessons.


METHODS
Cost-benefit ratio and several sensitivity analyses.


METHODS
EFNEP program graduates practicing ONBs related to prevention/delay of diet-related chronic diseases/conditions were determined using SPSS (Base 10 computer program). Cost-benefit ratios were computed using Microsoft Excel.


RESULTS
CBA determined a 1:3.63 cost-benefit ratio (in 1999 dollars).


CONCLUSIONS
Virginia's CBA model was useful in the retrospective evaluation of Oregon's small EFNEP. With Oregon's benefits exceeding costs, CBA provides evidence for resource allocation and justification for program continuation.
Schuster
Ellen
E
Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA. schustee@oregonstate.edu
Zimmerman
Zelda L
ZL
Engle
Molly
M
Smiley
Janice
J
Syversen
Ellen
E
Murray
Jill
J
D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000191:economics*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018803:Models, Economic; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009922:Oregon; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014768:Virginia