A Coordinated Approach to Health Economic Evaluation in Criminal-Legal Settings: Protocol for the JCOIN 2.0 Criminal-Legal Economic Analysis & Resource Center (CLEAR)

Background/Objectives The Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN) Phase 2.0 is a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen the evidence base for delivering substance use disorder (SUD) care within the criminal-legal system. Sustainedaccess to evidence-based treatment requires decision-makers to be informed on the relative costs, benefits, and budget impact of alternative service delivery models.The Criminal-Legal Economic Analysis & Resource Center (CLEAR) will support health-economic research across Hubs within JCOIN 2.0, and contribute new evidence to fill key knowledge gaps regarding economic aspects of the provision of SUD care in criminal-legal settings.This paper describes the economic evaluation designs embedded in JCOIN 2.0 trials, planned harmonization and pooled analyses, and the role of the Health Economics Analytic Team (HEAT 2.0), a collaborative of lead economic investigators from JCOIN 2.0 Hubs. Methods Common economic measures, instruments, methods, and outcomes are detailed. Individual studies are discussed alongside those with comparable economic designs to highlight opportunities for cross-study analyses. Results Specific economic parameters, stakeholder perspectives, and shared resources are outlined. The common characteristics of the economic evaluations planned across JCOIN 2.0 clinical trials are discussed, as are potential cross-study economic analyses. Implications In coordination with the HEAT 2.0, CLEAR will support, conduct, and disseminate detailed cost analyses and broader economic evaluations that inform decisions about service delivery for individuals with SUD who are involved in the criminal-legal system. Standardizating of economic data collection and analysis will allow CLEAR to establish a foundation for assessing the economic value of interventions across varying criminal-legal organizational and population-level contexts. This coordinated approach will allow for more informed and impactful resource allocation decisions to improve SUD outcomes and general wellbeing for this vulnerable population. A Coordinated Approach to Health Economic Evaluation in Criminal-Legal Settings: Protocol for the JCOIN 2.0 Criminal-Legal Economic Analysis & Resource Center (CLEAR)