Cost–Benefit Analysis: A Primer for Community Health Workers introduces basic economic evaluation concepts to help frontline health workers understand how health programs are assessed for value and impact. The primer explains how Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) compares the total costs of an intervention with the economic value of its expected benefits. It highlights common program costs such as training, medical supplies, transport, and worker time, alongside benefits including improved health outcomes, reduced disease burden, and increased productivity in communities. Health improvements may be measured using indicators like the Disability-Adjusted Life Year or the Quality-Adjusted Life Year before converting outcomes into monetary terms. By simplifying key concepts and methods, the primer helps community health workers appreciate how economic evidence supports planning, prioritization, and efficient use of limited health resources in public health programs.
