title: Cost-effectiveness of a programme of screening and brief interventions for alcohol in primary care in Italy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As alcohol-related health problems continue to rise, the attention of policy-makers is increasingly turning to Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) programmes. The effectiveness of such programmes in primary healthcare is well evidenced, but very few cost-effectiveness analyses have been conducted and none which specifically consider the Italian context.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model has been used to model the cost-effectiveness of government pricing and public health policies in several countries including England. This study adapts the model using Italian data to evaluate a programme of screening and brief interventions in Italy. Results are reported as Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs) of SBI programmes versus a 'do-nothing' scenario.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Model results show such programmes to be highly cost-effective, with estimated ICERs of €550/Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained for a programme of SBI at next GP registration and €590/QALY for SBI at next GP consultation. A range of sensitivity analyses suggest these results are robust under all but the most pessimistic assumptions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides strong support for the promotion of a policy of screening and brief interventions throughout Italy, although policy makers should be aware of the resource implications of different implementation options.
authors: School of Health & Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. c.r.angus@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: Colin
authors: C
authors: Angus
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Scafato
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Ghirini
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Torbica
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Ferre
authors: Pierluigi
authors: P
authors: Struzzo
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Purshouse
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D055815:Young Adult