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Sector Perspective (sector + perspective)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Critical success factors for corporate social responsibility: a public sector perspective

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010
Shirish Sangle
Abstract Managers in the public sector consider corporate social responsibility (CSR) as strategically important for their organizations. A positive correlation between CSR and financial performance is well established in the literature. However, little research has been done to understand which factors lead to the positive correlation between CSR and business performance. This study aims to empirically analyze critical success factors (CSFs) for CSR in the Indian public sector. It seeks to evaluate the factors that make CSR successful. The research results show that ability to integrate CSR with other functional strategies is the most critical success factor for CSR. Other critical success factors are ability to manage stakeholder groups, ability to evaluate benefits of CSR and top management support. Based on the research findings, the study proposes some important managerial implications with respect to CSFs for CSR. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source]

Cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent alcohol-related disease and injury in Australia

ADDICTION, Issue 10 2009
Linda Cobiac
ABSTRACT Aims To evaluate cost-effectiveness of eight interventions for reducing alcohol-attributable harm and determine the optimal intervention mix. Methods Interventions include volumetric taxation, advertising bans, an increase in minimum legal drinking age, licensing controls on operating hours, brief intervention (with and without general practitioner telemarketing and support), drink driving campaigns, random breath testing and residential treatment for alcohol dependence (with and without naltrexone). Cost-effectiveness is modelled over the life-time of the Australian population in 2003, with all costs and health outcomes evaluated from an Australian health sector perspective. Each intervention is compared with current practice, and the most cost-effective options are then combined to determine the optimal intervention mix. Measurements Cost-effectiveness is measured in 2003 Australian dollars per disability adjusted life year averted. Findings Although current alcohol intervention in Australia (random breath testing) is cost-effective, if the current spending of $71 million could be invested in a more cost-effective combination of interventions, more than 10 times the amount of health gain could be achieved. Taken as a package of interventions, all seven preventive interventions would be a cost-effective investment that could lead to substantial improvement in population health; only residential treatment is not cost-effective. Conclusions Based on current evidence, interventions to reduce harm from alcohol are highly recommended. The potential reduction in costs of treating alcohol-related diseases and injuries mean that substantial improvements in population health can be achieved at a relatively low cost to the health sector. [source]

Informing policy for the Australian context , Costs, outcomes and cost savings of prenatal carrier screening for cystic fibrosis

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Susannah MAXWELL
Aims:, To examine the costs, outcomes and cost savings of three models of prenatal cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening compared to no screening from a public health sector perspective. Methods:, A decision tree was generated to estimate costs and outcomes for each screening model for a hypothetical cohort of 38 000 pregnancies. Sensitivity analysis assessed the impact of model parameter variation. Results:, Under baseline assumptions, the initial annual cost to provide a prenatal CF carrier-screening programme is Au$5.32 million, Au$3.35 million and $2.93 million for one-step, two-step simultaneous and two-step sequential screening respectively. Annual costs are significantly lower for an established programme. No screening model provides a net saving over a lifetime horizon; however, the results were sensitive to variation in lifetime cost of care, screening test costs and number of pregnancies per carrier couple. Conclusions:, Under some scenarios, prenatal CF carrier screening is cost saving to the health system; however, this is not conclusive and depends on several factors. Cost remains a potential barrier due to the substantial level of funding required in the short term. Feasibility and psychosocial, ethical and legal implications of screening need to be considered. Additionally, consultation is required with the Australian community on the acceptability and/or desire for prenatal CF carrier screening. [source]

Cost-effectiveness of Weight Watchers and the Lighten Up to a Healthy Lifestyle program

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2010
Linda Cobiac
Abstract Objective: Intensive weight loss programs that incorporate dietary counselling and exercise advice are popular and are supported by evidence of immediate weight loss benefits. We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two weight loss programs, Lighten Up to a Healthy Lifestyle and Weight Watchers. Methods: Health gains from prevention of chronic disease are modelled over the lifetime of the Australian population. These results are combined with estimates of intervention costs and cost offsets (due to reduced rates of lifestyle-related diseases) to determine the dollars per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted by each intervention program, from an Australian health sector perspective. Results: Both weight loss programs produced small improvements in population health compared to current practice. The time and travel associated with attending group-counselling sessions, however, was costly for patients, and overall the cost-effectiveness ratios for Lighten Up ($130,000/DALY) and Weight Watchers ($140,000/DALY) were high. Conclusion: Based on current evidence, these intensive behavioural counselling interventions are not very cost-effective strategies for reducing obesity, and the potential benefits for population health are small. Implications: It will be critical to consider other strategies (e.g. changing the ,obesogenic' environment) or explore alternative methods of intervention delivery (e.g. Internet) to see if they offer a more cost-effective approach by effectively reaching a high number of people at a low cost. [source]