The CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention is pleased to make available several tools to help HIV prevention Programs consider cost effectiveness in their planning activities Cost effectiveness has long been a criterion in setting HIV program priorities. In February 2001, the
Institute of Medicine report
"No Time to Lose" recommended that prevention efforts be “guided by the principles of cost-effectiveness.” The basic principle is straightforward: choose those options that provide the greatest outcome for the least cost. We hope these tools help you to reach that goal.
While the tools require only minimal computer experience, they do require a good understanding and knowledge of HIV prevention efforts and program operations. These tools, which were developed independently, do not necessarily work together because they each address different stages of investigation and decision making; nor do they make decisions for you. However, they can help you put information into perspective to assist in making the tough decisions required when allocating limited resources.
Each tool has a user’s guide describing necessary inputs and how to use the software, including how to apply and understand the results. The
users’ guides also provide specific set-up information that you’ll need to know before the tools will run properly. For example, the HIV Prevention Funding Allocation Model (HPFAM) must be able to run macros and use the Excel Solver. Please see the
user’s guide for complete information before you open the
HPFAM.xls file. Also, once you begin using the tools by entering
in your own data, you may want to keep a copy of the files to save your
work, using different file names each time you save a copy. All of the
items can be freely copied and shared; however, the tools have many
embedded formulas, which, if modified, would affect their operation and
therefore the results. Be sure to pass on only the original files, and
always include the user’s guides.
We appreciate your interest in these cost-effectiveness tools and hope you find them helpful.
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