Valuing Health for Regulatory Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Promoting human health and safety by reducing exposures to risks andharms through regulatory interventions is among the most importantresponsibilities of the government. Such efforts encompass a wide array ofactivities in many different contexts: improving air and water quality; safeguardingthe food supply; reducing the risk of injury on the job, in transportation,and from consumer products; and minimizing exposure to toxicchemicals. Estimating the magnitude of the expected health and longevitybenefits and reductions in mortality, morbidity, and injury risks helps policymakers decide whether particular interventions merit the expected costsassociated with achieving these benefits and inform their choices amongalternative strategies. Valuing Health for Regulatory Cost-Effectiveness Analysisprovides useful recommendations for how to measure health-related quality of-life impacts for diverse public health, safety, and environmental regulations.Public decision makers, regulatory analysts, scholars, and students inthe field will find this an essential review text. It will become a standard referencefor all government agencies and those consultants and contractorswho support the work of regulatory programs.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Characteristics of Major Regulations and Current Analytic Practices3 Measures and Strategies for Obtaining Health Benefit Values for Regulatory Analysis4 Beyond Ratios: Ethical and Nonquantifiable Aspects of Regulatory Decisions5 Recommendations for Regulatory Cost-Effectiveness AnalysisAppendix A Summary of Case Studies Appendix B Health IndexesAppendix C OMB Circular A-4Appendix D Acronyms and Glossary Appendix E Biographical Sketches References Index