“The Governor Is Very Interested”: Or, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for School Health Screenings

Story Synopsis: Nefertiti Nelson, a senior official at the Columbia Department of Public Health (CDPH) in the fictitious U.S. state of Columbia, has been asked by the governor’s office to examine the cost-effectiveness of administering BMI and eating disorders screenings in schools. To carry out the project, Nefertiti and her team of CDPH colleagues join forces with the consulting firm, Datamon; yet, as the analysis begins questions quickly arise about the logistics and costliness of implementing the screenings, potential outcome measures, and the interests and concerns of respective stakeholders.

Skills: In this case students gain experience in estimating the cost-effectiveness of public health programs.

Narrative Document for Students

Lesson Plan for Teachers