ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Preventive measures in healthcare are considered as one of the key instruments for ensuring sustainable development of the public health system. In the context of increasing burden on budget allocations, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and aging population, the assessment of the economic feasibility of implementing preventive programs is of particular relevance. The objective of this work is to analyze scientific data and practical experience regarding the economic efficiency of such programs, as well as to identify factors that facilitate or hinder their implementation at the public policy level. The work considers various types of preventive measures — from primary prevention (e. g. educational campaigns, promotion of a healthy lifestyle) to secondary and tertiary (screening examinations, medical examinations, rehabilitation programs). Particular attention is paid to the methods of economic analysis in healthcare, including cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), cost-benefit analysis (CBA), cost-utility analysis (CUA) and modeling of long-term consequences for the healthcare budget. Based on the analysis of international experience (EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia) and examples of the implementation of preventive programs in domestic practice, their potential economic benefit is demonstrated. It is shown that most programs aimed at preventing common diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cervical cancer, etc.) provide a significant reduction in treatment costs, reduce the level of hospitalizations and disability, and increase the duration and quality of life of the population. The article is of interest to researchers, public health specialists, politicians and decision makers in the field of healthcare.