Analysis of the cost-effectiveness ratio of the health campaign for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma in Trentino, Italy

Background. The cost-effectiveness ratio of a health campaign for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma (CM), currently the only means to reduce mortality from this melanoma, was calculated for the Trentino region in Italy. Methods. Health campaigns in Trentino were carried out, and comparisons were made with neighboring regions where there had been no campaigns. To do this, the trend of the mortality rates calculated according to sex and age using the direct standardized method and data provided by ISTAT (the Central Italian Institute of Statistics) was considered. Results. It was determined that 22.3 lives were saved by early diagnosis during the period 1977-1985, resulting in a savings of $494,636 to the Italian National Health Service in avoided treatments. The total cost to the Health Service of the campaign was $70,800. The cost per year of lives saved was calculated to be $400. Conclusions. The outcome of this campaign was a recommendation for the use of such programs in other countries and regions.