@article{102839,
  keywords = {Health care economics, Parasitic Infections, Population screening},
  author = {Marraffa P and Dentato M and Nurchis MC and Angheben A and Olivo L and Barbera G and Damiani G and Gianino MM},
  title = {Cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for congenital Chagas disease in a non-endemic area},
  abstract = {<p>Chagas disease (CD) is an emerging public health concern in Europe. In non-endemic countries, congenital transmission is the main route of new infections. Italy is the second-largest host country in Europe for Latin American migrants and the prevalence of the disease is estimated around 3.5%. The aim is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a congenital CD screening program in pregnant women at risk of infection living in Italy and their newborns. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service, comparing a screening scenario with a no-screening scenario. A Bayesian decision tree model with a lifetime horizon was developed. In the base-case analysis, the screening strategy yielded an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €15,193 per quality-adjusted life year gained (95% CI: €14,885–€15,552), falling well within the accepted cost-effectiveness threshold (€30,000–€50,000) in Italy. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. Here we show that screening for congenital CD is a cost-effective strategy that improves health outcomes and aligns with international public health priorities. Our findings support the implementation of a national screening program integrated within existing maternal care pathways, contributing to the prevention of neglected tropical diseases and the promotion of migrant health.</p>
},
  year = {2025},
  journal = {Nature Communications},
  volume = {16},
  pages = {1-11},
  publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},
  issn = {2041-1723},
  url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63760-0.pdf},
  doi = {10.1038/s41467-025-63760-0},
  language = {ENG},
}