Economic Impact of Diabetes in South Asia: the Magnitude of the Problem

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo critically assess and identify gaps in the current literature on the economic impact of diabetes in South Asia.Recent FindingsThe total annual (direct medical and non-medical and indirect) costs for diabetes care in South Asia range from $483 –$2637 per patient, and on an average 5.8% of patients with diabetes suffer catastrophic spending i.e. when households reduce basic expenditure by 40% to cope with healthcare costs. The mean direct costs per patient are positively associated with a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capi ta, although there is wide heterogeneity across South Asian countries.SummaryWith an estimated 84 million people suffering from diabetes in South Asia, diabetes imposes a substantial economic burden on individuals, families, and society. Since the disease burden increasingly occurs in the most productive midlife period, it adversely affects workforce productivity and macroeconomic development. Diabetes-related complications lead to markedly higher treatment costs, causing catastrophic medical spending for many households, thus underscoring the importance of preventing diabetes-related complications.
Source: Current Diabetes Reports - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research