Phase 3: Develop Reference Case Guidelines

The final product is guidelines for implementing the benefit‐cost analysis reference case, which can be downloaded using the link below. To view our introductory video, please click here. Materials from related workshops are provided at the bottom of this page.

To download only the Guidelines summary and recommendations, please click here.

These guidelines build on the methods papers and case studies prepared for this project. The draft guidelines were posted for public comment and then revised in response to the feedback we received. We greatly appreciate the careful review and thoughtful advice provided by the commenters.

Guidelines Workshops

The reference case guidelines have been discussed in two workshops: one in Basel, Switzerland on July 14, 2019, and a second in Washington D.C. on October 22, 2019. The agenda and slides are posted below.

The Benefit-Cost Analysis Reference Case: What It Is and How to Use It
July 14, 2019
International Health Economics Association Pre-Congress Session
Basel, Switzerland
This half-day session provided an opportunity to learn more about new reference case guidance for conducting benefit-cost analysis, including case study examples. It covered the underlying concepts, approaches for valuing changes in health and longevity, and practical implementation.

Presentations

  • Introductions and Overview (Lisa A. Robinson) (slides)
  • Reference Case Purpose and Goals (David Wilson) (slides)
  • Benefit-Cost Analysis Concepts and Framework (Lisa A. Robinson) (slides)
  • Valuing Statistical Lives (Lisa A. Robinson) (slides)
  • Sanitation Case Study (Joseph Cook) (slides)
  • Tuberculosis Case Study (Thomas Wilkinson) (slides)

Reference Case Guidelines for Benefit-Cost Analysis Workshop
October 22, 2019
Eaton Hotel, Washington, DC
During this full‐day workshop, we discussed the final guidance that resulted from this project, including underlying concepts, approaches for valuing changes in health and longevity, and practical implementation. The agenda is available here.

Presentations

  • Introductions and Agenda (Lisa A. Robinson) (slides)
  • Reference Case Purpose and Goals (David Wilson) (slides)
  • General Framework (Lisa A. Robinson) (slides)
  • Valuing Health and Longevity (James K. Hammitt) (slides)
  • Air Pollution Case Study (Maureen Cropper) (slides)
  • Tuberculosis Case Study (Thomas Wilkinson) (slides)
  • Sanitation Case Study (Mark Radin) (slides)