Consultancy: Health Economics: evaluation of Sexual Health Prevention Interventions in NL

Consultancy: Health Economics: evaluation of Sexual Health Prevention Interventions in the Netherlands (Cost-Effectiveness / Benefit Studies)

Background

Sexual and reproductive health is a vital component of public health in the Netherlands, with a track record of strong investments in prevention, education, and access to care. In recent years, however, there has been increasing political and societal attention to the efficiency and accountability of publicly funded health interventions. This growing emphasis on cost-effectiveness/-benefit and value for money reflects broader trends in public health governance, both nationally and internationally. Public funding bodies (as well as private donors, to a lesser extent) are seeking clearer evidence that investments in sexual health yield measurable health outcomes and societal returns.

While effectiveness and reach are often monitored at face value, systematic economic evaluations—such as cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, or cost-benefit analyses—remain underutilized in the field of sexual health. Yet these methods are essential to inform future resource allocation, program sustainability, and strategic positioning within a more outcome-oriented funding environment. Within this context, Soa Aids Nederland (SANL) recognizes the need to strengthen the economic evidence base of their key interventions.

Therefore, SANL seeks a qualified health economics consultant or consultancy firm to conduct four separate but interrelated economic evaluations (e.g., cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, or return-on-investment analyses) of key sexual health prevention interventions currently implemented in the Netherlands. The most appropriate evaluation method for each intervention will be determined during an initial inception phase.

This aligns with current expectations from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), which is increasingly asking for transparency and traceability in how subsidies are used—and what they yield. It also reflects international guidance, such as the WHO's emphasis on economic evaluation in public health (Making Choices in Health, 2003), and aligns with developments such as the RIVM’s afwegingskader publieke gezondheid currently in development and the emerging national investeringsmodel preventie, also by the ministry of VWS.

Academic literature emphasizes the utility of cost-efficiency analysis in preventive health (Drummond et al., 2015; Neumann et al., 2016), particularly in areas like HIV prevention and sexuality education, where long-term health gains and indirect social benefits can be substantial yet less immediately visible. By applying a structured economic evaluation lens, this consultancy will contribute to a more informed dialogue between implementers, policymakers, and funders about the value of prevention in sexual and reproductive health.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of this consultancy is to generate clear, evidence-based insights into the cost-efficiency / cost benefit of selected sexual health interventions in the Netherlands, thereby strengthening transparency, accountability, and future program planning. SANL aims to complement

standard monitoring and reporting with a set of structured economic analyses that make the value of these interventions more tangible and traceable.

In the long term SANL aims to fit these studies into a broader ambition: to develop a clearer, evidence-based understanding of the overall societal value and return on investment of sexual and reproductive health prevention efforts in the Netherlands. In conducting these studies and their reporting this broader ambition should be taken into account.

By developing robust cost-efficiency studies, the consultancy will support:

• Strategic decision-making  on continued or expanded investment in sexual health prevention;
• Policy dialogue with funders and stakeholders regarding sustainable financing;
• Strengthening the position of sexual reproductive health interventions within broader public health frameworks/ structures and budgetary considerations.

Objectives per study:
We would like to conduct 4 studies during 2025 and 2026. The main objective is to analyze and determine the cost-efficiency of four distinct sexual health prevention interventions:

1. PrEP Usage – Assess the cost-efficiency of the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV transmission in the Dutch context.
2. SENSE.info Platform – Evaluate the cost-efficiency of delivering online sexual and reproductive health education for young people through the SENSE.info website in the Netherlands(this study will be done in cooperation with Rutgers)
3. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (Lang Leve de Liefde) – Analyze the cost-efficiency of the school-based comprehensive sexuality education program.(this study will be done in cooperation with Rutgers).
4. Infolijn Services – Assess the cost-efficiency of the Infolijn service, which provides sexual health information and support via phone, WhatsApp, and email.

NB: Sense.info and the Infolijn are part of the stepped care model. Acknowledgement of this connection in their respective studies (or a combination thereof in one study) is expected.

Initial design / inception phase

Before commencing the four separate analyses, the consultancy is expected to include an initial design phase aimed at determining the most appropriate type of economic evaluation for each intervention. The consultant will assess whether a cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, or alternative evaluation method is most suitable—based on the nature of the intervention, data availability, expected outcomes, and its contribution to SANL’s overarching objective: gaining insight into the overall societal return of its preventive work.

The four studies should align with national approaches such as the afwegingskader publieke gezondheid or the emerging investeringsmodel preventie, and may include common parameters such as societal perspective, time horizon, and dimensions of public value.Please also be advised of

important policy documents like: Beleidsvisie seksuele gezondheid, VWS June 2025, Preventiestrategie, VWS June 2025.

Scope of Work

• Conduct an initial design phase to assess and recommend the most appropriate type of economic evaluation for each intervention (e.g., cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, or cost-utility analysis), based on the intervention’s characteristics, available data, and strategic value.
• Conduct literature reviews and background assessments for each intervention.
• Collect and analyze financial, project, and outcome data related to each intervention.
• Develop an appropriate economic evaluation framework for each study (e.g., cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, or cost-utility analysis).
• Engage with program implementers and relevant stakeholders for qualitative and quantitative inputs.
• Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for future investments and improvements.
• Make sure to align approach and outcome with current governmental policy frameworks (in development) like RIVM/VWS’s afwegingskader/investeringsmodel preventie

1. Deliverables

• Inception report, including:

• A substantiated proposal of the most suitable economic evaluation type per intervention.
• Refined methodology and data requirements.

• Four separate cost-efficiency and/or cost-benefit analysis reports (one per intervention)
• Summary policy brief (max. 6 pages) synthesizing the main findings and recommendations across all studies.
• Presentation of findings to stakeholders.

1. Timeline
   Total duration: September 2025 – March 2026
   Milestones and deadlines will be finalized during the inception phase.
2. Consultant Profile

• Proven experience in conducting cost-efficiency or health economics evaluations.
• Strong understanding of the (public) health system in the Netherlands.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multidisciplinary data and present findings clearly to non-economist audiences.
• Good professional communication skills in both Dutch and English

1. Submission Requirements
   Interested consultants or consultancy firms are requested to submit:

• A short proposal (max. 2 pages) outlining the approach, methodology, and timelines.
• Example of at least one similar cost-efficiency or economic evaluation study.
• CV(s) of the lead consultant and key team members.
• Overview of expected data/information needed to able to conduct the study
• Proposed budget in Euros (inclusive of VAT and all expenses).

1. Selection Criteria
   Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience and qualifications (30%)
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed approach (30%)
• Clarity and realism of budget and timeline (20%)
• Demonstrated understanding of the Dutch health system and/or sexual health context (20%)

1. Submission Details
   Please send your full proposal and supporting documents to Sally Hendriks (shendriks@soaaids.nl) by 15 August 2025 with the subject line: “Proposal – Sexual Health Cost-Efficiency/Benefit Studies”. For more information you can contact Sjoerd van Elsen, strategic policy advisor and project lead svanelsen@soaaids.nl