Cost-Effectiveness of Social Determinants of Health Interventions: Evaluating Multisector Community Partnerships' Efforts.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this analysis was to rapidly evaluate the potential costs, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects of efforts by multisector community partnerships (MCPs) to improve chronic disease outcomes and advance health equity by addressing social determinants of health (SDOH).

Methods: In 2022, the evaluators partnered with 13 MCPs to collect data on start-up and ongoing costs for implementing SDOH interventions and on intervention reach and timing. In 2023, the team used the Prevention Impacts Simulation Model to estimate the longer-term impact of MCPs' efforts over 5-, 10-, and 20-year periods. The team also analyzed costs and cumulative 10- and 20-year cost-effectiveness of the MCPs' SDOH interventions.

Results: Over 20 years, SDOH interventions implemented by the 13 MCPs can potentially prevent 970 premature deaths and avert $105 million in medical costs and $408 million in productivity losses. The 20-year cumulative results show potential net costs of $38,300 per quality-adjusted life-year gained from the healthcare sector perspective and indicate potentially reduced costs and improved health outcomes from the societal perspective.

Conclusions: These findings can help inform and provide support for future investments in SDOH interventions. With a better understanding of costs needed to start up and implement SDOH interventions, funders, and MCPs can prepare for the resources required to do this work. Findings also suggest promising long-term impacts and potential cost-effectiveness for most MCP-implemented SDOH interventions.