The Cost Effectiveness of a Free Summer Day Camp Voucher Program to Prevent Summer Weight Gain among Children from Disadvantaged Households.

Introduction: Summer day camps (SDC) can mitigate summer weight gain by providing a structured daily environment that promotes healthy behaviors, but SDCs are often cost prohibitive to families with low-income. This study evaluated the cost effectiveness of providing free SDC to disadvantaged children to prevent summer weight gain.

Methods: 422 children from a low-income school district in South Carolina were recruited and randomly assigned to receive 8-10 weeks of free SDC or to experience summer as usual in 2021-2023. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated by dividing SDC cost by the difference between the intervention and control groups in changes in Body Mass Index Z-scores (zBMI) from the start to end of summer. ICERs at different doses of SDC participation were also calculated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using nonparametric bootstrapping of trial-based zBMI outcomes, matched with SDC costs from across the country. The probability of cost-effectiveness was assessed over a range of potential costs at which policymakers may be willing to support.

Results: The SDC voucher program averted 0.0917 zBMI gain relative to control at a cost of $1,307, yielding an ICER of $1,463 per 0.1 zBMI averted per child. Attending SDC 5 days per week, the highest dose, yielded the highest cost-effectiveness. Sensitivity analyses showed the bootstrapped ICERs averaged $2,187 per 0.1 zBMI averted, with 80% being less than $3,500 per 0.1 zBMI averted.

Conclusion: The voucher program is likely cost effective, with 80% probability of cost-effectiveness if policymakers are willing to pay $3,500 per 0.1 zBMI averted.