title: Cost-effectiveness of whole-of-community obesity prevention programs: an overview of the evidence.
abstract: Whole-of-community obesity prevention programs that impact on multiple players and promote community capacity show promise as an important strategy in the fight against global obesity. This paper reviews the economic evaluation literature of multifaceted, community based obesity prevention programs. There are few cost effectiveness studies. Whilst results to date are encouraging, there is considerable uncertainty surrounding the long term results given the lack of evidence regarding sustainability of program effect and a consequent reliance on economic modeling to fill the gaps. More empirical studies of longer duration are needed to demonstrate the longer term effectiveness and cost effectiveness of these programs, and to facilitate identification of the elements necessary for their sustainability.
authors.affiliation: Deakin University - Deakin Health Economics, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood. Victoria 3125, Australia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flego
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.forename: Marj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moodie
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Cost–effectiveness; economic evaluation; obesity prevention; whole-of-community programs