Priority setting in Health is a complex task that needs to be based on explicit criteria. While economic evaluations fulfil these requirements, the still remain further shortcomings in the current theory and practice of economic evaluation. One of them, which has attracted the interest of health economists and other professionals, refers to the equity dimension of health. A large amount of the literature reviewed in this paper addresses methodological solutions for addressing distributional concerns in economic evaluations. Yet, even though most authors agree with the general aim of reducing health inequalities, practical implementation issues that should inform policy are far from clear. This document will be followed by recommendations on further research [Abstr. p. 4]
[Contents] 1. - Introduction. - 2. - Economic evaluations : 2.1 Different types. 2.2 Methodological and practical issues. 2.3 Shortcomings regarding the equity dimension. - 3. - Equity : 3.1 Rationale and definition. 3.2 Different types and practical implementation issues. 3.3 Measures of inequity. 3.4 Which principle(s) should prevail ? - 4. - Priority setting and equity concerns : 4.1 Equity weighted utility gains. 4.2 Cost-value analysis. 4.3 Frameworks for equitable allocation decisions. - 5 - Recommendations for future research. - 6 Conclusion