Health Economics — MCQs
Which of the following is NOT a core component of the WHO's global STI control strategy?
When an outcome is compared with intended objectives, it is called as -
Assertion: VZV vaccine is live attenuated. Reason: It cannot be given to immunocompromised patients.
In which of the following methods of management is the benefit measured in natural units?
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY)?
Ayushman Bharat is
What is the primary health concern addressed by the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)?
Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under government health programs can operate through different models. Which of the following statements about MMU operations are correct? 1. MMUs are run by the government 2. MMUs are run by external agencies with medical supplies given by the government 3. MMUs are run by the government and medical supplies are also given by the government 4. MMUs are run by external agencies and medical supplies are also given by the external agency
Which of the following was NOT an actual goal of the WHO 'Health for All by 2000' strategy?
In a programme, analysis of results in comparison to cost is known as
Health Economics Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: Which of the following is NOT a core component of the WHO's global STI control strategy?
- A. Case management
- B. Universal mandatory screening (Correct Answer)
- C. Strategic information systems
- D. Prevention services
Explanation: ***Universal mandatory screening*** - While screening is part of STI control, **universal mandatory screening** for all STIs in the general population is not a core component of the WHO's strategy due to feasibility, cost, and ethical considerations. - The strategy emphasizes **targeted screening** for at-risk populations and opportunistic screening. *Case management* - **Case management**, including accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, is a critical component for managing current infections and preventing further transmission. - This involves syndromic or etiologic approaches to treatment and partner notification. *Strategic information systems* - **Strategic information systems** are essential for monitoring trends, evaluating interventions, and informing policy decisions related to STI control. - This includes surveillance data, program monitoring, and research. *Prevention services* - **Prevention services** are a cornerstone of the WHO's strategy, aiming to reduce the incidence of new infections. - These services encompass health education, condom promotion and distribution, vaccination, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Question 2: When an outcome is compared with intended objectives, it is called as -
- A. Network analysis
- B. Evaluation (Correct Answer)
- C. Input-output analysis
- D. Monitoring
Explanation: ***Evaluation*** - **Evaluation** is a systematic process of comparing actual outcomes against predefined objectives to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and impact. - It involves making judgments about the **worth** or **significance** of a program, project, or policy. *Network analysis* - **Network analysis** is a technique used to understand the relationships and connections within a system, often focusing on communication or collaboration. - It does not primarily involve comparing outcomes to objectives but rather mapping and measuring interactions between entities. *Input-output analysis* - **Input-output analysis** is an economic technique that studies the interdependence between different sectors of an economy by tracing inputs and outputs. - It is concerned with resource allocation and production linkages, not the comparison of outcomes to explicit objectives. *Monitoring* - **Monitoring** involves the continuous tracking of activities and progress against plans to ensure things are on track. - While it collects data on actual performance, its primary purpose is to observe and report as events unfold, not to make judgments about overall success against original goals.
Question 3: Assertion: VZV vaccine is live attenuated. Reason: It cannot be given to immunocompromised patients.
- A. Both true, reason doesn't explain assertion
- B. Assertion true, reason false
- C. Assertion false, reason true
- D. Both true, reason explains assertion (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Both true, reason explains assertion*** - The **VZV (varicella-zoster virus) vaccine** is indeed a **live attenuated vaccine** containing weakened virus - the assertion is **TRUE** - It **cannot be given to immunocompromised patients** due to risk of vaccine-strain disease - the reason is **TRUE** - The reason **directly explains the assertion**: BECAUSE the vaccine is live attenuated, it poses infection risk and therefore cannot be used in immunocompromised individuals - The **causal relationship** is clear: live attenuated nature → contraindication in immunocompromised patients *Both true, reason doesn't explain assertion* - While both statements are factually true, this option would only be correct if the reason was unrelated to the assertion - However, the reason **directly explains WHY** the live attenuated nature is clinically significant - The contraindication is a **direct consequence** of the vaccine being live attenuated, so the reason does explain the assertion *Assertion true, reason false* - The assertion is true (VZV vaccine is live attenuated) - However, the reason is also **TRUE** - live attenuated vaccines are indeed contraindicated in immunocompromised patients due to risk of disseminated vaccine-strain infection - Since both statements are true, this option is incorrect *Assertion false, reason true* - The assertion is **TRUE**, not false - VZV vaccine (Varivax, Zostavax) is a **live attenuated vaccine** containing the Oka strain - This option incorrectly claims the assertion is false - Since the assertion is factually correct, this option cannot be right
Question 4: In which of the following methods of management is the benefit measured in natural units?
- A. Network analysis
- B. Cost-benefit analysis
- C. Program budgeting system
- D. Cost-effectiveness analysis (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Cost-effectiveness analysis*** - In **cost-effectiveness analysis**, the benefits of a healthcare intervention are measured in **natural units** (e.g., lives saved, years of life gained, cases cured, reduction in symptoms). - This method compares the costs of different interventions to achieve a specific health outcome, expressed in a non-monetary unit. *Network analysis* - **Network analysis** is a project management technique used to plan and control complex projects, often for scheduling tasks and identifying critical paths. - Its primary focus is on task dependencies and timelines, not on measuring benefits of management interventions in natural units. *Cost-benefit analysis* - In **cost-benefit analysis**, both the costs and the benefits of an intervention are converted into **monetary units**. - This allows for a comparison where a project is deemed beneficial if its monetary benefits outweigh its monetary costs. *Program budgeting system* - A **program budgeting system** is a financial planning and management tool that links expenditures to the achievement of specific program objectives. - While it focuses on resource allocation and outcomes, it does not primarily measure benefits in natural health units.
Question 5: Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY)?
- A. Years lost due to disability (YLD) are not considered in DALY.
- B. DALY only measures mortality and does not include morbidity.
- C. DALY does not account for both YLD and YLL.
- D. DALY includes both Years of Life Lost (YLL) and Years Lived with Disability (YLD). (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***DALY includes both Years of Life Lost (YLL) and Years Lived with Disability (YLD).*** - This statement is **correct**. The fundamental formula is **DALY = YLL + YLD**. - **YLL (Years of Life Lost)** quantifies the burden of premature mortality by measuring years of potential life lost due to early death. - **YLD (Years Lived with Disability)** quantifies the burden of morbidity by measuring time lived in states of less than full health. - **DALY** is a comprehensive health metric designed to capture the total burden of disease by integrating both mortality and morbidity components. - This unified metric allows comparison of disease burden across different conditions and populations. *Years of Life Lost (YLL) is not included in DALY calculations.* - This is **incorrect**. YLL is a core component of DALY calculations, representing the mortality burden. *Years lost due to disability (YLD) are not considered in DALY.* - This is **incorrect**. YLD is an essential component of DALY, representing the morbidity burden. *DALY only measures mortality and does not include morbidity.* - This is **incorrect**. DALY explicitly measures both mortality (through YLL) and morbidity (through YLD), making it a comprehensive burden of disease measure.
Question 6: Ayushman Bharat is
- A. Health protection scheme (Correct Answer)
- B. Health practicing guidelines
- C. Health education program
- D. Health personnel training
Explanation: ***Health protection scheme*** - Ayushman Bharat is a **national health protection scheme** in India, aimed at providing affordable and accessible healthcare. - It consists of two major initiatives: the **Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)**, which provides health insurance coverage, and the creation of **Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs)**. *Health practicing guidelines* - While Ayushman Bharat promotes good health practices through its Wellness Centers, its primary function is not to establish or disseminate **medical practice guidelines**. - **Practicing guidelines** are typically developed by medical professional bodies or regulatory authorities. *Health education program* - Although health education is a component of the **Health and Wellness Centers** under Ayushman Bharat, the scheme's overarching goal is not solely an **educational program**. - Its main focus is on providing **financial protection** against catastrophic health expenditures and primary healthcare services. *Health personnel training* - While the implementation of Ayushman Bharat may indirectly lead to the need for more trained health personnel, it is not primarily a **training program** for healthcare staff. - Its core objective is to improve **healthcare access and affordability** for citizens.
Question 7: What is the primary health concern addressed by the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)?
- A. Adult chronic diseases
- B. Elderly health
- C. Non-communicable diseases in the youth
- D. Comprehensive healthcare for children from birth to 18 years (Correct Answer)
Explanation: **Comprehensive healthcare for children from birth to 18 years** - The **Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)** is a national program explicitly designed to provide comprehensive health screening and early intervention for 0-18 year-olds - Its focus is on detecting and managing the **4 D's**: Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, and Developmental delays - The program provides regular health check-ups, early detection of health conditions, referral for treatment, and promotes healthy development across this critical age group *Adult chronic diseases* - While public health initiatives address adult chronic diseases, they are not the primary focus of the **RBSK** program, which targets a younger demographic - Programs like the **National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS)** are more aligned with adult chronic disease management *Elderly health* - **RBSK** is specifically focused on the health of children and adolescents, not the elderly population - **National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE)** is a dedicated initiative for elderly health *Non-communicable diseases in the youth* - While **RBSK** does address some non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through early detection and management, its scope is much broader, encompassing all 4 D's - RBSK aims for **holistic child health** rather than exclusively targeting NCDs in youth, which is a subset of its overall mandate
Question 8: Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under government health programs can operate through different models. Which of the following statements about MMU operations are correct? 1. MMUs are run by the government 2. MMUs are run by external agencies with medical supplies given by the government 3. MMUs are run by the government and medical supplies are also given by the government 4. MMUs are run by external agencies and medical supplies are also given by the external agency
- A. 1, 2, 3, and 4
- B. 1 and 2
- C. 1, 2, and 3 (Correct Answer)
- D. Only 1
Explanation: ***1, 2, and 3*** - This option correctly identifies the flexible operational models of **Mobile Medical Units (MMUs)** under government health programs. - MMUs can be directly managed by the **government**, managed by **external agencies** with government-provided supplies, or managed by the government with **government-provided supplies**. *1, 2, 3, and 4* - This option incorrectly includes the scenario where MMUs are run by **external agencies** and medical supplies are also provided by the **external agency**. - While external agencies can run MMUs, government health programs typically ensure that essential medical supplies are provided or funded by the **government** to maintain standardization and accessibility. *1 and 2* - This option is incomplete as it misses the model where both the MMU operation and medical supplies are provided by the **government** (statement 3). - Government health programs often have fully integrated models, especially in remote areas. *Only 1* - This option is too restrictive, as it only includes the model where MMUs are run by the **government**. - MMUs often involve partnerships with **external agencies** for operational efficiency or specialized services.
Question 9: Which of the following was NOT an actual goal of the WHO 'Health for All by 2000' strategy?
- A. All people will be healthy by 2000 A.D (Correct Answer)
- B. Equal health status for people and countries
- C. All will have socially and economically productive life
- D. All people have access to health care services
Explanation: ***All people will be healthy by 2000 A.D*** - This statement represents an **absolute and unrealistic outcome** that was not a practical goal of the WHO's "Health for All by 2000" strategy. - The strategy aimed for a **significant improvement in health status** and equity, not the complete eradication of all illness. *Equal health status for people and countries* - This was a core aspiration of the "Health for All by 2000" strategy, focusing on **reducing health disparities** between different populations and nations. - The aim was to achieve a more **equitable distribution of health resources** and outcomes globally. *All will have socially and economically productive life* - This goal emphasized the importance of health as a prerequisite for **social and economic development**, allowing individuals to participate fully in society. - It highlights the concept that health is not merely the absence of disease but a state that enables a **productive and fulfilling life**. *All people are accessible to health care services* - **Universal access** to essential health care services was a fundamental pillar of the "Health for All by 2000" strategy. - This meant ensuring that **primary healthcare** was available and affordable to everyone, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
Question 10: In a programme, analysis of results in comparison to cost is known as
- A. Cost effective analysis
- B. Cost benefit analysis (Correct Answer)
- C. Management by objectives
- D. Cost utility study
Explanation: ***Cost benefit analysis*** - In **cost-benefit analysis**, the **benefits of a program** are quantified in monetary terms and then compared directly with the **monetary cost** of the program. - This method is used to determine if the **monetary gain (or benefit)** from a program outweighs its monetary expenditure. *Cost effective analysis* - **Cost-effectiveness analysis** compares the **costs of alternative programs** with their effectiveness, usually measured in natural units suitable for the health outcome (e.g., lives saved, cases cured). - It does not assign a monetary value to the health outcome but rather identifies the intervention that achieves the **desired outcome at the lowest cost** or the maximum outcome for a given cost. *Management by objectives* - **Management by objectives (MBO)** is a strategic management model that aims to improve organizational performance by clearly defining objectives that are agreed to by both management and employees. - This concept is primarily about **setting goals and tracking performance** within an organization, not about analyzing program costs versus outcomes. *Cost utility study* - A **cost-utility analysis (CUA)** is a type of cost-effectiveness analysis where the health outcome is measured in **quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)** or disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). - It accounts for both the **quantity and quality of life**, but it still does not express benefits in direct monetary terms.
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