Investing in Oregon's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP): Documenting Costs and Benefits

Abstract

Objectives To apply Virginia's cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model developed for a large Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to Oregon's small EFNEP. To estimate a cost-benefit ratio for Oregon's EFNEP based on retrospective analysis of program costs and optimal nutrition behaviors (ONBs) in relation to potential health-related savings for diet-related chronic diseases/conditions. Design Standard components of a CBA. Subjects/Settings 368 adult graduates of Oregon State University's Extension Service EFNEP during the 1999–2000 program year. Intervention Prior participation in the EFNEP with a mean of 10.4 lessons. Main Outcome Measures Cost-benefit ratio and several sensitivity analyses. Analysis EFNEP program graduates practicing ONBs related to prevention/delay of diet-related chronic diseases/conditions were determined using SPSS (Base 10 computer program). Cost-benefit ratios were computed using Microsoft Excel. Results CBA determined a 1:3.63 cost-benefit ratio (in 1999 dollars). Conclusions and Implications Virginia's CBA model was useful in the retrospective evaluation of Oregon's small EFNEP. With Oregon's benefits exceeding costs, CBA provides evidence for resource allocation and justification for program continuation.