Investing in Oregon's expanded food and nutrition education program (EFNEP): documenting costs and benefits.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To apply Virginia's cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model developed for a large Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to Oregon's small EFNEP. To estimate a cost-benefit ratio for Oregon's EFNEP based on retrospective analysis of program costs and optimal nutrition behaviors (ONBs) in relation to potential health-related savings for diet-related chronic diseases/conditions.

DESIGN:
Standard components of a CBA.

SUBJECTS/SETTINGS:
368 adult graduates of Oregon State University's Extension Service EFNEP during the 1999-2000 program year.

INTERVENTION:
Prior participation in the EFNEP with a mean of 10.4 lessons.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Cost-benefit ratio and several sensitivity analyses.

ANALYSIS:
EFNEP program graduates practicing ONBs related to prevention/delay of diet-related chronic diseases/conditions were determined using SPSS (Base 10 computer program). Cost-benefit ratios were computed using Microsoft Excel.

RESULTS:
CBA determined a 1:3.63 cost-benefit ratio (in 1999 dollars).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
Virginia's CBA model was useful in the retrospective evaluation of Oregon's small EFNEP. With Oregon's benefits exceeding costs, CBA provides evidence for resource allocation and justification for program continuation.

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Author information

Author/s: Schuster, Ellen (E); Zimmerman, Zelda L (ZL); Engle, Molly (M); Smiley, Janice (J); Syversen, Ellen (E); Murray, Jill (J);

Affiliation: Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA. schustee(-atsign-)oregonstate.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of nutrition education and behavior (J Nutr Educ Behav), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2003 Jul-Aug; vol 35 (issue 4) : pp 200-6

Dates: Created 2003/07/15; Completed 2003/10/30; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12859884, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Costs and Cost Analysis
Female
Health Education - economics
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans

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