The Cost-Effectiveness of Rapid Response Team Deployment in Disease Outbreaks

Rapid response teams (RRTs) are a critical component of public health emergency response systems, providing a surge capacity to manage disease outbreaks quickly and effectively. The deployment of RRTs has been shown to be a cost-effective intervention in controlling the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Are RRTs cost-effective?

RRTs are a cost-effective intervention in disease outbreaks due to their ability to rapidly respond to public health emergencies, thereby reducing the transmission of infectious diseases and the associated healthcare costs. A study on the cost-effectiveness of public health interventions in response to the 10th Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) found that the cost of establishing and maintaining a rapid response team (RRT) was estimated to be $3.5 million, which is a relatively small investment compared to the overall cost of the outbreak response.

In another study, the cost-effectiveness of hospital infection control response to an epidemic respiratory virus threat was analyzed. The study found that individual measures, such as hand washing, were a cost-effective option, particularly in severe epidemic scenarios when the costs of other public health alternatives were more expensive.

RRTs as a Multidisciplinary Approach

RRTs are most effective when they are truly multidisciplinary, including not only microbiologists and field epidemiologists but also social scientists, risk communicators, and infection prevention and control professionals. This multidisciplinary approach allows RRTs to address the social determinants of health that contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, such as poverty, lack of education, and inadequate access to healthcare.

RRTs in LMICs : a call for evaluation

RRTs have been increasingly adopted globally, particularly in LMICs, to strengthen outbreak response. However, evidence on the uptake, composition, and effectiveness of such teams remains lacking. Despite significant investment in RRTs, there is a need for more rigorous evaluation of their deployment and impact, particularly in LMICs where resources are often limited.

Conclusion

Rapid response teams are a critical component of public health emergency response systems, providing a surge capacity to quickly and effectively manage disease outbreaks. The deployment of RRTs has been shown to be a cost-effective intervention in controlling the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in LMICs. However, there is a need for more rigorous evaluation of RRT deployment and impact, particularly in LMICs where resources are often limited. A multidisciplinary approach to RRTs allows for the addressing of social determinants of health that contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, making RRTs a critical intervention in disease outbreaks.

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