Abstract
Background: As alcohol-related health problems continue to rise, the attention of policy-makers is increasingly
turning to Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) programmes. The effectiveness of such programmes in primary
healthcare is well evidenced, but very few cost-effectiveness analyses have been conducted and none which
specifically consider the Italian context.
Methods: The Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model has been used to model the cost-effectiveness of government
pricing and public health policies in several countries including England. This study adapts the model using Italian
data to evaluate a programme of screening and brief interventions in Italy. Results are reported as Incremental
Cost-Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs) of SBI programmes versus a ‘do-nothing’ scenario.
Results: Model results show such programmes to be highly cost-effective, with estimated ICERs of €550/Quality
Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained for a programme of SBI at next GP registration and €590/QALY for SBI at next GP
consultation. A range of sensitivity analyses suggest these results are robust under all but the most pessimistic
assumptions.
Conclusions: This study provides strong support for the promotion of a policy of screening and brief interventions
throughout Italy, although policy makers should be aware of the resource implications of different implementation
options.
Keywords: Public health interventions, Alcohol, Primary care, Cost-effectiveness
