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Poor quality diets contribute to malnutrition globally, but evidence is weak on the cost-effectiveness of food-based interventions that shift diets. This study assessed 11 candidate interventions developed through Delphi techniques to improve diets in India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. A Markov simulation model incorporated time, individual-level, nutrition, and policy parameters to estimate health impacts and cost-effectiveness for reducing stunting, anaemia, diarrhea, and mortality in preschool children. At an assumed 80% coverage, interventions considered would potentially save between 0·16 and 3·20 years of life per child. The average cost-effectiveness ratio ranged from US$9 to US$2000 per life year saved. This approach, linking expert knowledge, known costs, and modelling, offers potential for estimating cost-effective investments for better informed policy choice where empirical evidence is limited., Highlights • Few studies estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of programs for improving health through diets. • Expert knowledge linked to modelling offers a basis for assessing potential alternatives where data are lacking. • Our analysis assessed 11 candidate interventions for Ethiopia, India, and Nigeria derived from local expert opinion. • Modelling demonstrates these programs' potential health impacts and cost-effectiveness. • The modelling of estimated benefits can support best-buy policy and program choices.

The research agenda towards an HIV cure is building rapidly. In this article, we discuss the reasons for and methodological approach to using mathematical modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis in this agenda. We provide a brief description of the proof of concept for cure and the current directions of cure research. We then review the types of clinical economic evaluations, including cost analysis, cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. We describe the use of mathematical modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis early in the HIV epidemic as well as in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. We then highlight the novel methodology of Value of Information (VOI) analysis and its potential role in the planning of clinical trials. We close with recommendations for modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis in the HIV cure agenda.

The research agenda towards an HIV cure is building rapidly. In this article, we discuss the reasons for and methodological approach to using mathematical modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis in this agenda. We provide a brief description of the proof of concept for cure and the current directions of cure research. We then review the types of clinical economic evaluations, including cost analysis, cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. We describe the use of mathematical modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis early in the HIV epidemic as well as in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. We then highlight the novel methodology of Value of Information (VOI) analysis and its potential role in the planning of clinical trials. We close with recommendations for modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis in the HIV cure agenda.