BACKGROUND: High intake of salt increases blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Population programs aimed at reducing dietary salt may be cost-effective, but little is known about people's valuation of such programs. METHODS:A random sample (n = 924) of Danish people aged 20-74 was interviewed in-person in year 2000. They were asked how much they would be willing to contribute in additional tax for a population program that would half the intake of salt. The respondents were randomized to presentation of effectiveness format (number-needed-to-treat (NNT), relative risk reduction (RRR), avoided cases of heart attack or increase in longevity). RESULTS: In total, 57% were unwilling to contribute to the program (63%, 51%, 51% and 63% in the NNT-, RRR-, case- and longevity-groups, respectively). The mean willingness-to-pay among the remaining 43% was $30 per person per month. While in Denmark, the annual net program cost would be $148 millions in the most unfavorable scenario, the aggregate willingness-to-pay was $468 millions. CONCLUSIONS: A public health program may be worthwhile even though only a minority of the population is willing to contribute towards it. People's valuation is moderately sensitive to format of the program information.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: High intake of salt increases blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Population programs aimed at reducing dietary salt may be cost-effective, but little is known about people's valuation of such programs. METHODS: A random sample (n = 924) of Danish people aged 20-74 was interviewed in-person in year 2000. They were asked how much they would be willing to contribute in additional tax for a population program that would half the intake of salt. The respondents were randomized to presentation of effectiveness format (number-needed-to-treat (NNT), relative risk reduction (RRR), avoided cases of heart attack or increase in longevity). RESULTS: In total, 57% were unwilling to contribute to the program (63%, 51%, 51% and 63% in the NNT-, RRR-, case- and longevity-groups, respectively). The mean willingness-to-pay among the remaining 43% was $30 per person per month. While in Denmark, the annual net program cost would be $148 millions in the most unfavorable scenario, the aggregate willingness-to-pay was $468 millions. CONCLUSIONS: A public health program may be worthwhile even though only a minority of the population is willing to contribute towards it. People's valuation is moderately sensitive to format of the program information.
Authors: Francesco P Cappuccio; Norm R C Campbell; Feng J He; Michael F Jacobson; Graham A MacGregor; Elliott Antman; Lawrence J Appel; JoAnne Arcand; Adriana Blanco-Metzler; Nancy R Cook; Juliet R Guichon; Mary R L'Abbè; Daniel T Lackland; Tim Lang; Rachael M McLean; Marius Miglinas; Ian Mitchell; Frank M Sacks; Peter S Sever; Meir Stampfer; Pasquale Strazzullo; Wayne Sunman; Jacqui Webster; Paul K Whelton; Walter Willett Journal: Curr Nutr Rep Date: 2022-02-14