Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting results , but the case for investment in parenting and health visitor-related programmes appears most strong , especially when impacts beyond the health sector are taken into account .
In the workplace an economic return on investment in a number of comprehensive workplace health promotion programmes and stress management projects ( largely in the USA ) was reported , while group-based exercise and psychosocial interventions are of potential benefit to older people .
Cost-effectiveness of a stepped care intervention to prevent depression and anxiety in late life: randomised trial.
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need for the development of cost-effective preventive strategies to reduce the onset of mental disorders . AIMS To establish the cost-effectiveness of a stepped care preventive intervention for depression and anxiety disorders in older people at high risk of these conditions , compared with routine primary care . METHOD An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a pragmatic r and omised controlled trial ( IS RCT N26474556 ) . Consenting individuals presenting with subthreshold levels of depressive or anxiety symptoms were r and omly assigned to a preventive stepped care programme ( n = 86 ) or to routine primary care ( n = 84 ) . RESULTS The intervention was successful in halving the incidence rate of depression and anxiety at euro563 ( pound412 ) per recipient and euro4367 ( pound3196 ) per disorder-free year gained , compared with routine primary care . The latter would represent good value for money if the willingness to pay for a disorder-free year is at least euro5000 . CONCLUSIONS The prevention programme generated depression- and anxiety-free survival years in the older population at affordable cost
Caution must therefore be exercised in interpreting results , but the case for investment in parenting and health visitor-related programmes appears most strong , especially when impacts beyond the health sector are taken into account .
In the workplace an economic return on investment in a number of comprehensive workplace health promotion programmes and stress management projects ( largely in the USA ) was reported , while group-based exercise and psychosocial interventions are of potential benefit to older people .