A public health organization is evaluating the success of three vaccination campaigns (Campaign X, Campaign Y, and Campaign Z) in preventing a certain disease. The following data is available: Campaign X: Cost = $1,000,000, Disease Cases Prevented = 5,000 Campaign Y: Cost = $1,500,000, Disease Cases Prevented = 9,000 Campaign Z: Cost = $800,000, Disease Cases Prevented = 4,500 Which campaign has the lowest Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (CER) per case prevented, and what is that ratio?
- ACampaign Y, $180 per case
- BCampaign Y, $166.67 per case
- CCampaign X, $200 per case
- DCampaign Z, $177.78 per case
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Campaign Y, $166.67 per case
The Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (CER) per case prevented is calculated as (Total Cost / Disease Cases Prevented). A lower CER indicates greater cost-effectiveness. For Campaign X: CER = $1,000,000 / 5,000 cases = $200 per case. For Campaign Y: CER = $1,500,000 / 9,000 cases ≈ $166.67 per case. For Campaign Z: CER = $800,000 / 4,500 cases ≈ $177.78 per case. Comparing the CERs: Campaign X: $200 Campaign Y: $166.67 Campaign Z: $177.78 Campaign Y has the lowest Cost-Effectiveness Ratio at approximately $166.67 per case prevented.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This option miscalculates the CER for Campaign Y. ($1,500,000 / 9,000 = $166.666... not $180).
- C. This is the correct CER for Campaign X, but it is not the lowest.
- D. This is the correct CER for Campaign Z, but it is not the lowest.
Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (CER)
The Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (CER) is a measure used in public health and economics to compare the relative costs and outcomes of different interventions. It is calculated by dividing the cost of an intervention by its effectiveness (e.g., cases prevented, lives saved).
- Compares cost to a specific outcome.
- Calculated as (Cost / Effectiveness).
- Lower CER indicates a more efficient use of resources to achieve the outcome.
Memory trick: Cost for impact, health's true measure, efficiency's the key, a hidden treasure.