Cost savings of developmental screenings: Evidence from a nationwide program

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Health Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 49
Issue: C
Pages: 120-135

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Early intervention is considered the optimal response to developmental disorders in children. We evaluate a nationwide developmental screening program 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 14.5 percentage points more likely to participate in the program. 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 low SES preschoolers, we find evidence for substantial interventions, but only weak evidence for cost savings in the long run.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jhecon:v:49:y:2016:i:c:p:120-135
Journal Field
Health
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25