JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Alcohol consumption causes both physical and psychological harm and is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Digital alcohol interventions have been found to support those looking for help by giving them tools for change. However, whether digital interventions can help tackle the long-term societal consequences of harmful alcohol consumption in a cost-effective manner has not been adequately evaluated. In this viewpoint, a pragmatic review of the literature was conducted to identify health economic evaluations of digital alcohol interventions to estimate at which frequency they are done, and identify analytical techniques used to evaluate long-term costs and health outcomes of a wider dissemination. The review identified 6 studies for which all cost-effectiveness analyses were based on trial data alone, and did not model behaviour, costs, or health outcomes longer than the study period of the trial. We argue that in order to help decision makers to priorities resources for research and dissemination, it is important to model long-term costs and health outcomes. Further, this type of modelling gives important insights into the context in which interventions are studied, and highlights were more research is required and where sufficient evidence is available. The viewpoint invites researchers to reflect on their decision-making process when it comes to deciding which interventions, and studies therefore, should be prioritised.