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Real-World Cost Effectiveness of Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification of Bread-Making Flour in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Sopany Saing

    (University of Technology Sydney)

  • Phil Haywood

    (University of Technology Sydney)

  • Naomi van der Linden

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Kathleen Manipis

    (University of Technology Sydney)

  • Elena Meshcheriakova

    (University of Technology Sydney)

  • Stephen Goodall

    (University of Technology Sydney)

Abstract

Background In 2009, mandatory folic acid fortification of bread-making flour was introduced in Australia to reduce the birth prevalence of preventable neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida. Before the introduction of the policy, modelling predicted a reduction of 14–49 NTDs each year. Objective Using real-world data, this study provides the first ex-post evaluation of the cost effectiveness of mandatory folic acid fortification of bread-making flour in Australia. Methods We developed a decision tree model to compare different fortification strategies and used registry data to quantify the change in NTD rates due to the policy. We adopted a societal perspective that included costs to industry and government as well as healthcare and broader societal costs. Results We found 32 fewer NTDs per year in the post-mandatory folic acid fortification period. Mandatory folic acid fortification improved health outcomes and was highly cost effective because of the low intervention cost. The policy demonstrated improved equity in outcomes, particularly in birth prevalence of NTDs in births from teenage and indigenous mothers. Conclusions This study calculated the value of mandatory folic acid fortification using real-world registry data and demonstrated that the attained benefit was comparable to the modelled expected benefits. Mandatory folic acid fortification (in addition to policies including advice on supplementation and education) improved equity in certain populations and was effective and highly cost effective for the Australian population.

Suggested Citation

  • Sopany Saing & Phil Haywood & Naomi van der Linden & Kathleen Manipis & Elena Meshcheriakova & Stephen Goodall, 2019. "Real-World Cost Effectiveness of Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification of Bread-Making Flour in Australia," Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 243-254, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:aphecp:v:17:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s40258-018-00454-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s40258-018-00454-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Llanos, Adolfo & Hertrampf, Eva & Cortes, Fanny & Pardo, Andrea & Grosse, Scott D. & Uauy, Ricardo, 2007. "Cost-effectiveness of a folic acid fortification program in Chile," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(2-3), pages 295-303, October.
    2. Bonny Parkinson & Stephen Goodall & Richard Norman, 2013. "Measuring the Loss of Consumer Choice in Mandatory Health Programmes Using Discrete Choice Experiments," Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 139-150, April.
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