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A linear programming model for allocating HIV prevention funds with state agencies: a pilot study

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Abstract

Given the initiatives to improve resource allocation decisions for HIV prevention activities, a linear programming model was designed specifically for use by state and local decision-makers. A pilot study using information from the state of Florida was conducted and studied under a series of scenarios depicting the impact of common resource allocation constraints. Improvements over the past allocation strategy in the number of potential infections averted were observed in all scenarios with a maximal improvement of 73%. When allocating limited resources, policymakers must balance efficiency and equity. In this pilot study, the optimal allocation (i.e., most-efficient strategy) would not distribute resources in an equitable manner. Instead, only 12% of at-risk people would receive prevention funds. We find that less efficient strategies, where 58% fewer infections are averted, result in significantly more equitable allocations. This tool serves as a guide for allocating funds for prevention activities.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. RTI Health Solutions, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA

    Stephanie R. Earnshaw, Katherine Hicks & Amanda Honeycutt

  2. Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, CA, USA

    Anke Richter

Authors
  1. Stephanie R. Earnshaw
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  2. Katherine Hicks
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  3. Anke Richter
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  4. Amanda Honeycutt
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephanie R. Earnshaw.

Additional information

Funding: This research was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number R18/CCR420943 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the CDC.

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Earnshaw, S.R., Hicks, K., Richter, A. et al. A linear programming model for allocating HIV prevention funds with state agencies: a pilot study. Health Care Manage Sci 10, 239–252 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10729-007-9017-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10729-007-9017-8

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