What Interventions are Cost Effective in Reducing Violence Against Women? A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: To systematically summarise the recent literature on the cost and cost effectiveness of interventions implemented to reduce violence against women (VAW) and decision frameworks guiding resource allocation. METHOD: A scoping review of scholarly and grey literature on the cost-effectiveness and/or resource allocation for interventions addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), dating violence and non-partner sexual violence perpetrated against women aged 15 years and over. All settings and contexts were eligible, with papers published in English between 2010 and March 2023 included. RESULTS: Nineteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria reporting the cost, cost savings and/or cost effectiveness of 24 interventions to prevent IPV and to a lesser extent, other forms of interpersonal violence. Among the 16 economic evaluation studies reviewed, four types of interventions were cost effective in multiple settings or studies, including community activism (Uganda, Ghana), gender transformative interventions with couples and individuals (Ethiopia, Rwanda), specific justice and law enforcement measures (USA) and a combined personnel training, support, and referral programme in General Practice in the UK. Other interventions were cost effective in a single study or had conflicting evidence. Three remaining papers conducted a partial evaluation or cost appraisal providing limited information on the cost or cost-savings of other implemented interventions. No frameworks on resource allocation for the prevention of VAW were identified. CONCLUSION: While there is some evidence of cost effectiveness emerging for interventions implemented in specific contexts, overall, we find the recent evidence on costs and cost effectiveness of interventions for the prevention of VAW to be limited. Embedding economic evaluation in future effectiveness trials will build critical evidence needed to inform policy and resource allocation decisions based on the value-for-money of interventions. Modelling the benefits and costs of interventions to better understand the societal impacts of programmes at scale is a further research opportunity.

Spillover effects of childhood obesity prevention interventions: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity prevention initiatives are complex interventions that aim to improve children's obesity-related behaviors and provide health promoting environments. These interventions often impact individuals, communities, and outcomes not primarily targeted by the intervention or policy. To accurately capture the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention interventions, an understanding of the broader impacts (or spillover effects) is required. This systematic review aims to assess the spillover effects of childhood obesity prevention interventions. METHODS: Six academic databases and two trial registries were searched (2007-2023) to identify studies reporting quantifiable obesity-related and other outcomes in individuals or communities not primarily targeted by an obesity prevention intervention. Critical appraisal was undertaken for studies that reported statistically significant findings, and a narrative synthesis of the data was undertaken. RESULTS: Twenty academic studies and 41 trial records were included in the synthesis. The most commonly reported spillovers were diet or nutrition-related, followed by BMI and physical activity/sedentary behavior. Spillovers were mostly reported in parents/caregivers followed by other family members. Nine of the 20 academic studies reported statistically significant spillover effects. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence indicates that positive spillover effects of childhood obesity prevention interventions can be observed in parents/caregivers and families of targeted participants.

Consumer willingness to pay for healthier food products: A systematic review.

Food retail strategies to improve the healthiness of food and beverage options may increase purchasing of healthier options and improve diets. Consumer demand for healthier options is an important determinant of the successful implementation and maintenance of healthy food retail interventions. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was undertaken to explore whether consumers are willing to pay more for healthier foods and to determine the key factors that influence willingness to pay. Fifteen studies reported the results of 26 experiments providing willingness to pay estimates for healthier food products across a range of food retail environments. Twenty three out of the 26 experiments included in this review (88.5%) found consumers would pay a 5.6% to 91.5% (mean 30.7%) price premium for healthier foods. Studies consistently found a positive willingness to pay for foods with reduced fat and wholegrains with additional fruit and vegetables, while willingness to pay for foods with reduced salt or a combination of low fat and sugar, or salt showed mixed results. Adults over 60 years, females, those living with obesity, and consumers who aim to maintain a healthy lifestyle were more likely to pay a price premium for healthier food, whereas younger consumers, consumers with healthy weight, and consumers with higher levels of education were less likely to pay higher prices. The results of this review contribute to our understanding of consumer preferences for healthier products and provide information to retailers on consumer surplus (benefits) associated with the provision of healthier food alternatives.