Abstract
This paper reviews seven cost-benefit estimates made in prevention studies published in peer-reviewed journal articles or peer-edited book chapters. This paper includes articles that examined prevention programs implemented on an individual level and programs that involved community coalitions, using both individual and environmental strategies. The studies showed considerable differences in approach both to prevention and to cost-benefit analyses. Increasing evidence exists that some prevention programs are effective, but the programs reported here also have demonstrated that they are cost-beneficial. The literature reveals that the savings per dollar spent ranged from $2.00 to $19.64. The variability in the range can be attributed to how costs were calculated, outcomes included, and differences in methodologies.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
REFERENCES
Botvin, G. J., Baker, E., Dusenbury, L., Botvin, E. M., & Diaz, T. (1995). Long-term follow-up results of a randomized drug abuse prevention trial in a white middle-class population. JAMA 273(14), 1106-1112.
Catalano, R. F., & Hawkins, J. D. (1996). The social development model: A theory of antisocial behavior. In J. D. Hawkins (Ed.), Delinquency and crime: Current theories (pp. 149-197). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Caulkins, J. P., Rydell, C. P., Everingham, S. S., Chiesa, J., & Bushway, S. (1999). An ounce of prevention, a pound of uncertainty: The cost-effectiveness of school-based drug prevention programs, Santa Monica, CA: Rand.
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. (2001). CSAP Cost and benefit methodologies expert panel meeting. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Chaloupka, F. L., & Grossman, M. (1996). Tobacco control policies and youth smoking. Washington, DC: National Bureau of Economic Research (Working Paper No. 5740).
Chatterji, P., Caffray, C. M., Jones, A. S., Lillie-Blanton, M., and Werthamer, L. (2001). Applying cost analyses methods to school-based prevention programs. Prevention science, 2, 45-55.
Cohen, M. A. (1998). The monetary value of saving a high-risk youth. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 14, 5-33.
Ellickson, P. L., & Bell, R. M. (1990). Drug prevention in junior high: A multi-site longitudinal test. Science, 247, 1299-1305.
Heien, D. M. (1995/96, Fall/Winter). Are higher alcohol taxes justified. The Cato Journal, 15, 1-11. Highlights—National Health Expenditures, 2000. Retrieved May 7, 2002, from http://www.hcfa.gov/ stats/nhe-oact/hilites.htm
Holder, H.D. (2000). Community prevention of alcohol problems. Addictive Behaviors 25(6), 929-942.
Karoly, L. A., Greenwood, P.W., Everingham, S. S., Hoube, J., Kilburn, R. M., Rydell, P. C., Sanders, M., & Chiesa, J. (1998a). Investing in our children: What we know and don't know about the costs and benefits of early childhood interventions (p. 90). Santa Monica, CA: Rand.
Karoly, L. A., Greenwood, P.W., Everingham, S. S., Hoube, J., Kilburn, R. M., Rydell, P. C., Sanders, M., & Chiesa, J. (1998b). Investing in our children: What we know and don't know about the costs and benefits of early childhood interventions (p. 92). Santa Monica, CA: Rand.
Levy, D. T. (1997). Cost savings from preventing substance abuse: Lessons from the cost-offset literature. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Miller, T. (1993). Costs and functional consequences of U.S. roadway crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 25, 593-607.
Miller, T., Cohen, M., & Rossman, S. (1993). Victim costs of violent crime and resulting injuries. Health Affairs, 12, 186-197.
Pentz, M. A. (1998). Costs, benefits, and cost effectiveness of comprehensive drug abuse prevention. In W. Bukoski & R. Evans (Eds.), Cost-benefit/cost-effectiveness research of drug abuse prevention: Implications for programming and policy (Research Monograph Series) (Vol. 176, pp. 111-129). Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Plotnic, R. D. (1994). Applying benefit-cost analyses to substance use prevention programs. International Journal of the Addictions, 29, 339-359.
Rice, D. P. (1999). Economic costs of substance abuse. Proceedings of the Association of American Physicians, 111(2), 109-118.
Schweinhart, L. J., Barnes, H. V., & Weikart, D. P. (1993). Significant benefits: The High/Scope Perry preschool study through age 27. Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation.
Shepard, D. S., & Thompson, M. S. (1979). First principles of cost-effectiveness analysis in health. Public health reports, 94, 535-543.
Spoth, R. L., Guyll, M., and Day, S. X. (2002). Universal family-focused interventions in alcohol-use disorder prevention: Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses of two interventions. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63, 219-228.
Swisher, J. D. (2001). The costs, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefit of school and community counseling services. In D. Locke, J. Meyer, and E. Herr (Eds.), Handbook of counseling. New York: Sage.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Swisher, J.D., Scherer, J. & Yin, R.K. Cost-Benefit Estimates in Prevention Research. The Journal of Primary Prevention 25, 137–148 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPP.0000042386.32377.c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPP.0000042386.32377.c0