Health Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Health Economics - Essay Example The studies conducted by Shadick and colleagues focused on assessing the cost effectiveness of the vaccination against the Lyme disease by developing a decision analytic model. However, the evidence gathered for such an experiment may be not being considered as robust as it may seem because the probabilities and costs used by Shadick and Colleagues were taken from the literature which may not be considered as entirely satisfactory as it may seem. Further, best estimates were used on the base case analyses whereas the ranges used in sensitivity analysis were considered as clinically plausible only. Further, the evidence for compliance and risk effects were taken from relatively newer and recent trials which may not have considered as entirely satisfactory and untested due to lack of time tested empirical proofs. Further the evidence for cost effectiveness and management of Lyme disease were taken from one study only and the dollar values were updated up to 1998 only which may not entirely be considered as entirely accurate and relevant. Based on the above, it may be easily inferred that the evidence may not entirely be considered as robust as it lacks in many areas which were conceptually not corrected/designed according to the relevant economic variables. Any health state rated between zero and one can be rated as death or equivalent and perfect health whereas anything below zero on visual analogue scale may be termed as worse than death therefore based on three given states of A, B, C at 0.1, 0.45, 0.8, we can assign a utility of death or equivalent because all the utilities are greater than zero but less than one. Therefore, the utility assigned to all three states are effectively representing one state because all three are less than one and greater than zero. Q#1(d) An incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) can be less than $40,000/- per quality adjusted year only if the persistence of vaccination efficacy is considered at three years. The traditional studies suggested that the cost effectiveness ratio, under two year time horizon of vaccination efficacy, the overall cost reach to $105,000/QALY. However, when this time horizon is stretched to three years, the incremental cost effectiveness ratio can reach up to $29,600/QALY. It is also important to note that Shadick & Colleagues took a radically larger efficacy period as in comparison to traditionally used. Q#1(e) With the increase in the vaccination cost by 100% i.e. from $150 to $300, the overall cost saving/QALY would decrease and the program would have moved up into the league table indicating smaller cost savings from the vaccination. The cost saving however is taken in terms of the costs averted while using the given vaccination. Q#2 Shadick and Colleagues considered a decision analytic model as one of the valid tools for making economic evaluation. Decision analytic tool is used when the intention of the researcher is to make justifiable and defendable decisions. Since, economics always involves a relative degree of abstraction therefore it sometimes becomes critical that such model for economic valuation is used which can provide researchers considerable degree of comfort while defending assessments made. (Arsham, 1994). Making comparison with earlier studies provide a peer reviewed evidence which can help researchers to take on the research

Maureen Down, Tea Obreht and Stephanie Elizondo Essay

Maureen Down, Tea Obreht and Stephanie Elizondo - Essay Example The third reading by Griest is set in Moscow, Beijing and Havana. These three places are defined by diversity of practices in relation to cultural and social aspects, all of which the author presents her experiences across the all the three places. In all the readings, the visits made by the writers are characterized by local customs practices, all of which are uniquely undertaken in every city highlighted in the readings. In other words, the three readings depict a lot of local customs, an outstanding similarity in all the three readings. Saudi Arabia is slowly opening its social and economic doors to the international world. Amid this progress, there are limitations that her social context has to overcome to allow this process. The Saudi Arabian society has previously observed locked tourism doors, but Maureen Dowd presents the new phase in Saudi Arabia in relation to tourism pursuits. In so doing, the persons to whom these doors are open are limited, and only highly knowledgeable fellows are welcome in Saudi Arabia. The most significant account that cannot fail to be captured in Saudi Arabia is misogyny. Being an Islamic state, Saudi Arabia has a notable disregard for women. In other words, they are inferior to men, and thus highly submissive. The cultural and social context of Saudi Arabia is characterized by enormous and rich local customs that are unique to every single social setting observed here. The dominant local custom is the position of women in the cultural, social, economic and political aspects. There are legal provisions that restrict women from engaging in certain activities that cut across the aforementioned aspects. Practices that women engage in are highly monitored, and any deviations from the norms are highly punishable. Maureen Dowd (55) quotes, â€Å"A Saudi woman can’t even report harassment by a man without having a mahram, or male guardian, by her side.† Amid the integration of international practices in the social cont ext of Saudi Arabia, this local custom remains uniquely observed, and few women, if not none are up to violate this custom. "Twilight of the vampires" by Tea Obreht presents an account of a vampire-like society, where there seems to be a hunt of undead real people. In a nutshell, the reading is an account of unfortunate events that befall Tea Obreht in daily quests and interests in life. The Serbia and Belgrade simultaneous happenings pose a bad omen to what the author, the mother, the grandmother and the journalist are supposed to partake. Amid the devil-like interventions that Tea Obreht experiences, the spirit to press on remains vibrant. The underlying dilemma in "Twilight of the vampires" provides an opportunity to note the customs and practices undertaken in the Balkans society. The most notable local custom in this environment is the one realized from Tea Obreht (19) quote, â€Å"Whereas garlic, holy water, and crucifixes are commonly accepted apotropaic across the Balkans, scissors under the bed are also popular, as is the black-handled knife buried in the doorstep to cleave incoming evil in half.† Cities highlighted in the "Twilight of the vampires" to practice this custom as a way of dealing with incoming devils or bad luck. Stephanie Elizondo Griest’s text is rich in cultural diversity. The text presents and