Citation

Moraes E, Campos GM, Figlie NB, Laranjeira RR, Ferraz MB. Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr. 2006; 28(4): 321-325.

Vernacular Title

Conceitos introdutórios de economia da saúde e o impacto social do abuso de álcool.

Affiliation

Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil. nanemoraes@uol.com.br

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Associacao Brasileira de Psiquiatria)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17242814

Abstract

Brazilian society bears high economic costs in view of the problems resulting from the alcohol consumption. There is a lack of economic studies into alcohol misuse or dependence in Brazil due to the limited financial resources, despite the huge health problems the country has been facing. This paper aims to introduce basic concepts of Heath Economics to health care practitioners, such as: Complete and Incomplete Economic Evaluation, Disease Costs, Cost Comparison, Types of Evaluation (cost-minimisation, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-benefice), Point of View Analysis (from patient, health institution, Ministry of Health, or society), Types of Costs (direct, indirect and intangible), and other ones. In addition, research data on the impact of the alcohol consumption on the Brazilian society is described. We do not intend to exhaust the subjects addressed in this paper, but emphasise the need for more national researches that link the economic evaluation to the alcohol addiction issue in order to seek maximum efficiency by maximising the health care and minimising the scarce health system resources.

Language: pt