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Exploratory comparison of Healthcare costs and benefits of the UK's Covid-19 response with four European countries.
Thom, Howard; Walker, Josephine; Vickerman, Peter; Hollingworth, Will.
  • Thom H; Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
  • Walker J; Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
  • Vickerman P; Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
  • Hollingworth W; Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Eur J Public Health ; 31(3): 619-624, 2021 07 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1123256
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

In responding to Covid-19, governments have tried to balance protecting health while minimizing gross domestic product (GDP) losses. We compare health-related net benefit (HRNB) and GDP losses associated with government responses of the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain and Sweden from UK healthcare payer perspective.

METHODS:

We compared observed cases, hospitalizations and deaths under 'mitigation' to modelled events under 'no mitigation' to 20 July 2020. We thus calculated healthcare costs, quality adjusted life years (QALYs), and HRNB at £20,000/QALY saved by each country. On per population (i.e. per capita) basis, we compared HRNB with forecast reductions in 2020 GDP growth (overall or compared with Sweden as minimal mitigation country) and qualitatively and quantitatively described government responses.

RESULTS:

The UK saved 3.17 (0.32-3.65) million QALYs, £33 (8-38) billion healthcare costs and £1416 (220-1637) HRNB per capita at £20,000/QALY. Per capita, this is comparable to £1455 GDP loss using Sweden as comparator and offsets 46.1 (7.1-53.2)% of total £3075 GDP loss. Germany, Spain, and Sweden had greater HRNB per capita. These also offset a greater percentage of total GDP losses per capita. Ireland fared worst on both measures. Countries with more mask wearing, testing, and population susceptibility had better outcomes. Highest stringency responses did not appear to have best outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our exploratory analysis indicates the benefit of government Covid-19 responses may outweigh their economic costs. The extent that HRNB offset economic losses appears to relate to population characteristics, testing levels, and mask wearing, rather than response stringency.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Eur J Public Health Journal subject: Epidemiology / Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Eurpub

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Eur J Public Health Journal subject: Epidemiology / Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Eurpub