A Review of the Role of Cost–Benefit Analyses in 2-1-1 Diffusion

Abstract

The diffusion of 2-1-1 helplines in the U.S. has been influenced by interjurisdictional exchange of cost-benefit analyses, in both the creation of original analyses and/or the referencing of previous work.

Getting Help from 2-1-1: A Statewide Study of Referral Outcomes

“…What is available tends to focus on cost-benefit analyses and business plans (Saxton et al, 2007; Shank & Rosenbaum, 2003; Shank, 2012), not resource levels of community service agencies. Although many 2-1-1s routinely follow-up with callers, such evaluations often lack the sampling and protocol rigor that can come with funded research and are rarely published in peer-reviewed scientific journals or even shared online.…”

Health Research and Surveillance Potential to Partner with 2-1-1

“…As you will read in this supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2-1-1 information and referral programs offer a rich environment for partnerships with researchers, media, and policymakers. The articles [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] demonstrate inspiring possibilities for ways in which 2-1-1 systems and their partners can cooperate and collaborate to influence vulnerable populations by encouraging healthy behaviors, by raising awareness of preventive services, and by breaking down barriers that prevent access. In addition, 2-1-1 data and research results have the potential to greatly enhance the national dialogue about how we achieve healthier and more resilient communities.…”

Research Collaboration with 2-1-1 to Eliminate Health Disparities

“…Moreover, a number of provisions within the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; PL 111-148 [HR 3590]), have been leveraged to bolster efforts aimed at eliminating health disparities by closing the gap associated with unequal access to health care and preventive services. These national efforts are a perfect backdrop for the work described in the papers [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] in this supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine titled "Research Collaborations with 2-1-1 to Eliminate Health Disparities." To facilitate the development of this special issue, the 2-1-1 Health Research Working Group brought together researchers and 2-1-1 system leaders to work collaboratively toward a shared goal addressing the health needs of low-income Americans by raising awareness of the opportunities, benefıts, and potential of engaging in 2-1-1 research collaborations; capturing and sharing success stories from 2-1-1 systems nationally; setting a research agenda that supports and enhances 2-1-1 services; and facilitating collaborations between 2-1-1 systems and researchers that develop and test innovative ideas to improve service for 2-1-1 callers.…”

“…Specifıcally, the papers focus on (1) populations who call 2-1-1 during or immediately following a natural or man-made crisis 5-7 ; (2) efforts to recruit and intervene on health issues that are not the focus of the initial 2-1-1 call 10 -12 ; (3) needs of special populations 8,9 ; and (4) methodologic or other considerations in developing 2-1-1 research partnerships. 4,13,14 Each theme and the related articles are described below.…”