An economist evaluating a leprosy elimination programme calculates the total cost of the programme in rupees and also assigns a rupee value to the productivity gained from cured patients, then compares the two sums. This method of economic appraisal is:

• A Cost-effectiveness analysis
• B Cost-utility analysis
• C Cost-of-illness analysis
• D Cost-benefit analysis ✓

Explanation

Cost-benefit analysis expresses both inputs and outcomes in monetary units, allowing direct comparison of costs with monetized gains, as described here. Cost-effectiveness analysis uses natural units such as cases prevented or lives saved, and cost-utility analysis uses QALYs or DALYs. Cost-of-illness studies merely estimate the economic burden of disease without evaluating a specific intervention.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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