A cost-effectiveness analysis of a residential radon remediation programmein the United Kingdom

As residential radon programmes of identification and remediation have proc eeded, so questions have been raised about their costs and benefits. This s tudy presents a generalizable model for estimating the cost-effectiveness o f a radon mitigation programme using the methodological framework now consi dered appropriate in the economic evaluation of health interventions. Its u se will help to inform future discussion of radon remediation and lung canc er prevention programmes. Data from Northamptonshire were analysed, resulti ng in a societal cost-effectiveness ratio of pound 13250 per life-year gain ed in 1997. The percentage of houses found to be over the action level, and the percentage of householders who decide to remediate are shown to be imp ortant parameters for the cost-effectiveness analysis. Questions are raised about the particular importance of perspective in this type of analysis an d suggestions are made for future research directions. (C) 1999 Cancer Rese arch Campaign.