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A cost analysis of implementing a behavioral weight loss intervention in community mental health settings: Results from the ACHIEVE trial
Author(s) -
Janssen Ellen M.,
Jerome Gerald J.,
Dalcin Arlene T.,
Gennusa Joseph V.,
Goldsholl Stacy,
Frick Kevin D.,
Wang NaeYuh,
Appel Lawrence J.,
Daumit Gail L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21836
Subject(s) - mental health , intervention (counseling) , weight loss , medicine , psychology , gerontology , psychiatry , obesity
Objective In the ACHIEVE randomized controlled trial, an 18‐month behavioral intervention accomplished weight loss in persons with serious mental illness who attended community psychiatric rehabilitation programs. This analysis estimates costs for delivering the intervention during the study. It also estimates expected costs to implement the intervention more widely in a range of community mental health programs. Methods Using empirical data, costs were calculated from the perspective of a community psychiatric rehabilitation program delivering the intervention. Personnel and travel costs were calculated using time sheet data. Rent and supply costs were calculated using rent per square foot and intervention records. A univariate sensitivity analysis and an expert‐informed sensitivity analysis were conducted. Results With 144 participants receiving the intervention and a mean weight loss of 3.4 kg, costs of $95 per participant per month and $501 per kilogram lost in the trial were calculated. In univariate sensitivity analysis, costs ranged from $402 to $725 per kilogram lost. Through expert‐informed sensitivity analysis, it was estimated that rehabilitation programs could implement the intervention for $68 to $85 per client per month. Conclusions Costs of implementing the ACHIEVE intervention were in the range of other intensive behavioral weight loss interventions. Wider implementation of efficacious lifestyle interventions in community mental health settings will require adequate funding mechanisms.