HOW TO MEASURE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES AT COUNTRY LEVEL.

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are widespread in less developed countries and reemerging in developed ones. Available economic studies agree that VBDs have significant effects on countries' economic outcomes, and affirm that a systematic evaluation of such effects is crucial for the efficient allocation of resources to health-related priorities. This paper provides a comparative assessment of available methodologies for measuring the economic impact of VBDs at national level. We review both macroeconometric and micro-based approaches, and examine advantages and disadvantages of current methods. We conclude by suggesting possible areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]