The Dangers of Misinterpretation of Economic Analysis
The findings by Colbourn et al(1) are very important and most
welcome. However, it does bring to mind the dangers of political
translations, interpretations and misinterpretations of such robust
economic analyses.
It will be wrong for politicians to harbour any notion that the
National Health Service (NHS) is primarily a money making or money saving
machine; the quality of life and associated productivity of a healthy
population should always be borne in mind.
Reference:
1. Colbourn TE, Asseburg C, Bojke L, Philips Z, Welton NJ, Claxton K, Ades
AE, Gilbert RE. Preventive strategies for group B streptococcal and other
bacterial infections in early infancy: cost effectiveness and value of
information analyses. BMJ 2007; 335: 655-658
Rapid Response:
The Dangers of Misinterpretation of Economic Analysis
The findings by Colbourn et al(1) are very important and most
welcome. However, it does bring to mind the dangers of political
translations, interpretations and misinterpretations of such robust
economic analyses.
It will be wrong for politicians to harbour any notion that the
National Health Service (NHS) is primarily a money making or money saving
machine; the quality of life and associated productivity of a healthy
population should always be borne in mind.
Reference:
1. Colbourn TE, Asseburg C, Bojke L, Philips Z, Welton NJ, Claxton K, Ades
AE, Gilbert RE. Preventive strategies for group B streptococcal and other
bacterial infections in early infancy: cost effectiveness and value of
information analyses. BMJ 2007; 335: 655-658
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests