Determining the Cost-Effectiveness of Preventive Health Services

The purpose of the thesis was to explore the issues surrounding the cost and implementation of prevention. Specifically, methods for determining cost-effectiveness and measuring the health benefits conferred from prevention were explored and services that have been determined to be cost-effective were discussed. Through interviews with health care professionals, administrators, and public health professors, perceptions of the benefits and costs of prevention were explored. Barriers to the implementation of prevention were discussed. The thesis concludes with suggestions on steps that health care providers and policy-makers can take to improve the health of the U.S. population through prevention