What is a primary focus of cost-effectiveness studies?

The primary focus of cost-effectiveness studies is to compare costs to benefits. This involves analyzing how the costs of various interventions or programs stack up against the outcomes they produce, typically in a health-related context. By examining the relationship between the financial investment and the benefits gained, cost-effectiveness studies aim to identify the most efficient use of resources in achieving desirable health outcomes.

While outcomes research is integral to understanding the effectiveness of various healthcare interventions, it does not solely define the aim of cost-effectiveness studies. Evaluating direct and indirect benefits is indeed part of this process, but it's more about weighing those benefits against the incurred costs. Determining whether a goal is worthwhile in terms of cost is also a consequence of the cost-effectiveness analysis, but the central focus remains on that direct comparison of costs and benefits.