IMPACT OF HIV AIDS ON LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE UNITED-STATES/

Objectives: The potential gains in life expectancy of the US populatio n by the partial and total elimination of deaths from HIV/AIDS were co mpared with that of deaths from heart disease and malignant neoplasms. Methods: The data from the 1992 advanced mortality report and detaile d information provided by the National Center for Health Statistics we re analysed by using the partial multiple decrement life-table techniq ue. Results: For the total population of the United States in 1992, th e gains in future life expectancy through the elimination of deaths fr om HIV/AIDS, heart disease and malignant neoplasms were 0.34, 3.25 and 3.21 years, respectively. The gains in life expectancy in those of wo rking age (15-64 years) through the elimination of deaths from these t hree causes of deaths were 0.20, 0.40 and 0.55 years, respectively. Ra ce/sex-specific calculations indicate that the total elimination of de aths from HIV/AIDS, heart disease and malignant neoplasms in white men of working age resulted in increased life expectancy of 0.28, 0.54 an d 0.53, respectively, whereas the corresponding figures for black men were 0.82, 0.90 and 0.76 years, respectively. Although the impact of t he elimination of the other causes remained relatively stable from 198 7 to 1992, the potential gains in life expectancy for black men of wor king age by eliminating HIV/AIDS rose from 0.36 years in 1987 to 0.82 years in 1992. For the total US population of working age, the elimina tion of HIV/AIDS deaths resulted in increased life expectancy similar to that observed for a 50% reduction of heart disease or malignant neo plasms, whereas among black men of working age, the increased years of life expectancy from the elimination of HIV/AIDS deaths were virtuall y the same as those observed for the elimination of heart disease or m alignant neoplasms. Conclusions: The potential gains in life expectanc y by reduction of deaths from heart disease and malignant neoplasms ar e more heavily influenced by increasing years after the working ages ( 15-64 years), whereas the potential gains in life expectancy by reduci ng deaths from HIV/AIDS make a greater contribution to those of workin g age. Hence, in terms of the economic costs and benefits, these resul ts indicate that in evaluating policy issues regarding allocation of r esearch funds, studies of life expectancy are far more important than the simple approach which allocates funds on the basis of the number o f deaths due to Various diseases.