A cost-benefit analysis is one of the available decision-making tools for promoting investment in risk reduction include. This type of analysis is based on the principle of comparing the cost and benefits of an individual project, and judging the project acceptable if the benefit exceeds the cost.

A report prepared by ECLAC calculates that more than US$3.120 billion was lost in the countries of the Americas over a 15-year period as a result of damage to health infrastructure. Estimates of indirect losses are considerably greater, reflecting increased health care costs for the millions of people who remained without health services for prolonged periods.