It Takes a Village Coach: Cost-Effectiveness of an Intervention to Improve Diet and Physical Activity Among Minority Women.

BACKGROUND: This study gauged the cost-effectiveness of a community-based health coaching intervention aimed at improving diet and physical activity among women in culturally diverse communities.

METHODS: The Coalition for a Healthier Community for Utah Women and Girls recruited women from 5 cultural and ethnic groups and randomized them to receive quarterly versus monthly health coaching. Coaching was performed by trained community health workers from the targeted communities. Cost-effectiveness ratios were estimated to gauge the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

RESULTS: Estimated quality-adjusted life years gained from both increased physical activity and improved diet were positive. Cost-effectiveness ratios varied by intervention arm, but all ratios fell within the favorable range described in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS: This culturally adapted health coaching intervention was deemed to be cost-effective. Our findings suggest that to achieve the highest level of cost-effectiveness, programs should focus on enrolling at-risk women who do not meet recommended physical activity standards and/or dietary guidelines.