Which statement about the cost-effectiveness quadrant is true?

• A. Upper left is better and cheaper
• B. Lower left is worse and cheaper
• C. Upper right is better but more expensive
• D. Lower right is better and cheaper

Answer: (D)

In cost-effectiveness analysis, you compare options by how much they cost and how much health effect they produce. The ideal position is to be cheaper and more effective, meaning you get more health benefit at a lower price. On the cost-effectiveness plane, that scenario sits in the lower-right quadrant: less cost and greater effect.

That’s why the statement about the lower-right quadrant being better and cheaper is best. It represents a dominant option—one that saves money while delivering more health benefit, so there’s no trade-off to justify. The other quadrants reflect trade-offs: options that are more effective but cost more, or options that save money but reduce effectiveness, or options that are worse on both cost and effect—none of which are as clearly preferable as the dominant, cheaper-and-better choice.