PREVENTION - THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CALIFORNIA DIABETES AND PREGNANCY PROGRAM

Background. The California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program is a new pre ventive approach to improving pregnancy outcomes through intensive dia betes management preconception and early in pregnancy. Methods. Hospit al charges and length of stay data were collected on 102 program enrol lees and 218 control cases. Ninety program enrollees and 90 control ca ses were matched on mother's age, White's classification, and race. Re gression models controlled for these variables in addition to MediCal status, birth weight, and enrollment in the program. Results. Hospital charges were about 30% less for program participants and days in the hospital were roughly 25% less. The program effects were larger for wo men that enrolled before 8 weeks gestation. More serious diabetics wer e also found to have larger reductions in charges and days. Conclusion . After adjusting for inflation and differences in charges across hosp itals, $5.19 is saved for every dollar spent on the program.