SPACE Tool 2.0

What is SPACE Tool?

SPACE Tool, or the STI Prevention Allocation Consequences Estimator, is a tool created for federally funded jurisdictions (i.e., states and directly funded large cities) to estimate the impact of changes in STI prevention budgets on the incidence and direct medical costs of bacterial STIs and STI-attributable HIV infection. Estimating these effects is not an exact science; however, SPACE Tool helps STI prevention personnel make evidence-based calculations that show how budget changes impact disease burden and direct medical costs. More information describing the methods for this tool can be found in the SPACE Tool 2.0 manuscript.  SPACE Tool 2.0 is an updated version from the model initially developed in 2017 that incorporates updated parameters and scientific methods, a new interface that was designed to be user-friendly and engaging, and new functionalities requested by model users.

How do you use it?

Download the SPACE Tool 2.0 spreadsheet [XLSM – 181 KB], save the spreadsheet to your computer, and enable the macros. The model’s home screen will provide you with some background and a prompt to begin your session. Additional instructions are self-contained within the estimator spreadsheet. The tool, and your calculations, should be made within the spreadsheet [XLSM – 181 KB].

SPACE Tool 2.0 comes with an instructional video (youtube.com) and accompanying slides to guide users through the process of inputting budget data, calculating outcomes, customizing output, and exporting visualizations.

Is there a way to share the tool’s outputs?

Yes. Please see the Instructional Video (youtube.com) and accompanying slides on JPHMP Direct, the companion website of Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, for step-by-step instructions on how to print output as a meeting handout and export customizable visualizations. The JPHMP Direct website also contains a high-level explanation of the model and what is new in the updated version 2.0.