title: Potential impacts of the Alberta fetal alcohol spectrum disorder service networks on secondary disabilities: a cost-benefit analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the break-even effectiveness of the Alberta Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Service Networks in reducing occurrences of secondary disabilities associated with FASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The secondary disabilities addressed within this study include crime, homelessness, mental health problems, and school disruption (for children) or unemployment (for adults). We used a cost-benefit analysis approach where benefits of the service networks were the cost difference between the two approaches: having the 12 service networks and having no service network in place, across Alberta. We used a threshold analysis to estimate the break-even effectiveness (i.e. the effectiveness level at which the service networks became cost-saving).
  
  
  RESULTS
  If no network was in place throughout the province, the secondary disabilities would cost $22.85 million (including $8.62 million for adults and $14.24 million for children) per year. Given the cost of network was $6.12 million per year, the break-even effectiveness was estimated at 28% (range: 25% to 32%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although not all benefits associated with the service networks are included, such as the exclusion of the primary benefit to those experiencing FASD, the benefits to FASD caregivers, and the preventative benefits, the economic and social burden associated with secondary disabilities will "pay-off" if the effectiveness of the program in reducing secondary disabilities is 28%.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. tnguyen@ihe.ca
authors.forename: Nguyen Xuan
authors.initials: NX
authors.lastname: Thanh
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moffatt
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Anderson W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Chuck
authors.forename: Egon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jonsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000416:Alberta; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data