Cost estimates for chronic diseases

With increasing chronic disease and disability burden as a result of the ag ing of populations worldwide, cost estimates of disease and disability are important in determining: (i) the most cost-effective methods in delivering healthcare in order to maximise resources; and (ii) health policies and re source allocation. Cost may be divided into direct, indirect and intangible costs. Economic evaluations include cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness and c ost-utility studies. In obtaining data for these studies, a multidisciplina ry effort is required. Data include epidemiological, healthcare utilisation and cost data (e.g. based on disease-related groups), outcome measures and national sickness, unemployment and productivity figures. Examples of cost-of-illness studies show that chronic diseases constitute a significant economic burden for societies, in terms of either direct or in direct costs. Using such data, healthcare policies may be formulated toward s cost reduction, whether preventive or interventional. Decisions regarding choice of drug treatments or methods of service delivery may also be based on such information. Conflicting perspectives from healthcare providers, s ociety or individual viewpoints may render decisions regarding resource all ocation based on such estimates controversial.