[Economic analysis and public health. Why does one need economic evaluation applied to diabetes? What methods does one choose: cost effectiveness, cost utility, cost benefit? Are such studies useful in terms of public health?].

The application of economic methods to public health is relatively recent and linked to the context of economic crisis: cooperation between medical doctors is to day in process. The main objective of health economics is the optimization of health care by improving resources allocation to take care of the patients. So, in France, the health system budget, 573 billions, represents 8.3% of the GNP; this percentage is one of the highest of Europe. Can such a growing rate decrease or are we going towards rationing of health system resources? In this context, economic analysis applied to diabetes uses mainly evaluation methods: cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, cost-benefit. Evaluation always supposes a comparison between medical alternative actions in terms of costs and results. Economic crisis made easier the acceptance of evaluation studies but their development supposes great scientific caution.