Cost effectiveness of a targeted disinfection program in household kitchens to prevent foodborne illnesses in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

A computer-based economic model was developed to evaluate the potential cost-effectiveness of a targeted disinfection program for high-risk food preparation in household kitchens. For US, Canada and UK, published literature and expert opinion was used to estimate the cost of the program, the number of cases of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli O157:H7 infections prevented, and the economic and quality-of-life outcomes. The model estimated that approximately 80,000 infections could be prevented annually in US homes, resulting in $138 million in direct medical cost savings, 15,845 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained, $788 million in program costs. Results were similar for households in Canada and the UK. Implementing a targeted disinfection program in household kitchens in the US, Canada, and UK appears to be a cost-effective strategy. When evaluating the program for households with high-risk members, the cost-effectiveness was more favourable. J Food Protect 2003;66:2103-2115.