Discounting and health benefits: another perspective

Abstract

This paper reviews the argument advanced by Parsonage and Neuburger that the non-monetary benefits of health programmes should be discounted at a lower rate than that used for financial flows. The conceptual issues raised in that paper are discussed and others, such as the tradability of non-monetary benefits and the link between individual and social discount rates, are introduced. The collection and assessment of more evidence is needed before Parsonage and Neuburger's proposition can be supported.