Purpose: To assess and compare the cost effectiveness of early treatment of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) risk factors in the African American and general population.

Method: A cost effectiveness analysis was carried out using a Markov decision model to compare early (preventive) treatment of MS risk factors (hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension) with late treatment (usual care) in African Americans and the general population. The main outcome measure was the incremental cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY). The setting was the adult African American population and general population in the United States.

Result: Early treatment strategies targeted at African Americans were generally found to be more cost effective than those targeted at the general population. Simultaneous treatment of three MS risk factors (hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension) beginning at age 30, would cost $53,140/QALY for African Americans and $63,926/QALY for the general population. Early treatment of individual MS risk factors beginning at age 30, was cost effective (<$27,000/QALY) for both African Americans and the general population (with the exception of treatment of hyperlipidemia in African Americans [$187,462/QALY]). Sensitivity analyses indicated age and cost of treatment as the most influential factors in the model. The cost effectiveness of early treatment of MS risk factors in African Americans and the general population compares favorably with similar health care interventions.

Conclusion: From a societal perspective, early treatment of individual MS risk factors saves lives in a cost effective manner. Disparate access to quality health care makes African Americans especially susceptible to the adverse effects of MS. Early treatment of MS risk factors in African Americans is cost effective and may help reduce racial disparities in health care. The study supports a growing body of literature that indicates the cost effectiveness of providing preventative services to apparently healthy individuals.