In an era where healthcare costs are spiraling, a recent study has highlighted the considerable economic burden that cancer, coronary heart disease, dementia, and stroke impose on England. The research projects these costs to rise significantly by 2050, urging policymakers to focus on sustainable healthcare strategies.
Comprehensive Data Utilization
The study employed individual patient-level data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum, encompassing primary care electronic health records from 738 general practices in England. This extensive dataset allowed for precise calculations of healthcare and nursing home resource usage. Additionally, the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA) provided data on both informal and formal care costs. By combining these sources, the researchers were able to conduct a thorough analysis, attributing economic costs to each of the four chronic conditions using multivariable regression analyses.
Financial Projections and Implications
In 2018, the total economic burden was estimated at £18.9 billion for cancer, £12.7 billion for coronary heart disease, £11.7 billion for dementia, and £8.6 billion for stroke. These figures are projected to escalate by 2050, with costs expected to rise by 40% for cancer, 54% for coronary heart disease, 100% for dementia, and 85% for stroke. Such increases highlight the urgent need for policies promoting early intervention and preventive care to mitigate future financial strains.
From a market access perspective, the study underscores the necessity for enhanced healthcare accessibility and the importance of integrating cost-effective treatment options. The projected rise in costs indicates a growing demand for efficient resource allocation and innovative healthcare solutions to ensure economic sustainability.
Key Inferences
Strategic Implications:
• The substantial projected increase in dementia-related costs emphasizes the need for more investment in mental health services and support systems.
• Addressing coronary heart disease through preventive measures could significantly alleviate future economic burdens.
• Cancer treatment innovations and accessibility must be prioritized to manage its escalating costs effectively.
• Multi-disciplinary approaches and coordinated care strategies can play a crucial role in managing the rising costs associated with chronic diseases.
The study provides invaluable insights into the economic challenges posed by chronic diseases, advocating for evidence-based policies to improve healthcare access and outcomes. By understanding the financial implications and planning accordingly, England can better navigate the path toward a sustainable healthcare future.
Original Article:
Lancet Healthy Longev. 2024 Jul 25:S2666-7568(24)00108-9. doi: 10.1016/S2666-7568(24)00108-9. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer, coronary heart disease, dementia, and stroke are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in England. We aimed to assess the economic burden (including health-care, social care, and informal care costs, as well as productivity losses) of these four conditions in England in 2018, and forecast this cost to 2050 using population projections.
METHODS: We used individual patient-level data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum, which contains primary care electronic health records of patients from 738 general practices in England, to calculate health-care and residential and nursing home resource use, and data from the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA) to calculate informal and formal care costs. From CPRD Aurum, we included patients registered on Jan 1, 2018, in a CPRD general practice with Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)-linked records, omitting all children younger than 1 year. From ELSA, we included data collected from wave 9 (2018-19). Aggregate English resource use data on morbidity, mortality, and health-care, social care, and informal care were obtained and apportioned, using multivariable regression analyses, to cancer, coronary heart disease, dementia, and stroke.
FINDINGS: We included 4 161 558 patients from CPRD Aurum with HES-linked data (mean age 41 years [SD 23], with 2 079 679 [50·0%] men and 2 081 879 [50·0%] women) and 8736 patients in ELSA (68 years [11], with 4882 [55·9 %] men and 3854 [44·1%] women). In 2018, the total cost was £18·9 billion (95% CI 18·4-19·4) for cancer, £12·7 billion (12·3-13·0) for coronary heart disease, £11·7 billion (9·6-12·7) for dementia, and £8·6 billion (8·2-9·0) for stroke. Using 2050 English population projections, we estimated that costs would rise by 40% (39-41) for cancer, 54% (53-55) for coronary heart disease, 100% (97-102) for dementia, and 85% (84-86) for stroke, for a total of £26·5 billion (25·7-27·3), £19·6 billion (18·9-20·2), £23·5 billion (19·3-25·3), and £16·0 billion (15·3-16·6), respectively.
INTERPRETATION: This study provides contemporary estimates of the wide-ranging impact of the most important chronic conditions on all aspects of the economy in England. The data will help to inform evidence-based polices to reduce the impact of chronic disease, promoting care access, better health outcomes, and economic sustainability.
FUNDING: Alzheimer’s Research UK.
PMID:39068947 | DOI:10.1016/S2666-7568(24)00108-9
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