02168nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002600086653002500112653002500137100001500162700001400177700001500191700001500206700001200221700001400233700001400247700001500261245009700276856005900373300000900432490000700441520144000448022001401888       2025                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aHealth care economics10aParasitic Infections10aPopulation screening1 aMarraffa P1 aDentato M1 aNurchis MC1 aAngheben A1 aOlivo L1 aBarbera G1 aDamiani G1 aGianino MM00aCost-effectiveness analysis of screening for congenital Chagas disease in a non-endemic area  uhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63760-0.pdf  a1-110 v163 a<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>
  a2041-1723