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The Cost-Effectiveness of Developmental Screenings: Evidence from a Nationwide Programme

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  • Martin Halla
  • Gerald Pruckner
  • Thomas Schober

Abstract

Early intervention is considered the optimal response to developmental disorders in children. We evaluate a nationwide developmental screening programme for preschoolers in Austria and the resulting interventions. Identification of treatment effects is determined by a birthday cutoff-based discontinuity in the eligibility for a financial incentive to participate in the screening. Assigned preschoolers are about 14 percentage points more likely to participate in the programme. For participants with high socio-economic status (SES), we find little evidence for interventions and consistently no effect on healthcare costs in the long run. For participants with low SES preschoolers, we find evidence for substantial interventions, but only weak evidence for cost savings in the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Halla & Gerald Pruckner & Thomas Schober, 2015. "The Cost-Effectiveness of Developmental Screenings: Evidence from a Nationwide Programme," Working Papers 2015-09, Faculty of Economics and Statistics, Universität Innsbruck.
    • Handle: RePEc:inn:wpaper:2015-09
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    early intervention; child development; developmental disorder; develop- mental screening; healthcare costs regions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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