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The economic cost of bereavement in Scotland

Audrey I Stephen1, Colin Macduff, Dennis J Petrie

  • 1a Institute for Health and Wellbeing Research , Robert Gordon University , Aberdeen , Scotland.

Death Studies
|September 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Bereavement in Scotland incurs significant socioeconomic costs, including increased healthcare use and reduced employment. These findings highlight the economic impact of losing a spouse on individuals and the healthcare system.

Area of Science:

  • Health Economics
  • Social Epidemiology
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • Bereavement represents a significant life event with potential socioeconomic consequences.
  • Understanding the economic burden of bereavement is crucial for resource allocation and support services.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the socioeconomic costs associated with bereavement in Scotland.
  • To quantify the impact of spousal bereavement on healthcare utilization and employment.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized three distinct datasets to analyze socioeconomic costs.
  • Employed matched controls to compare employment and income of bereaved individuals with non-bereaved counterparts.

Main Results:

  • Spousal bereavement linked to higher mortality and extended hospital stays, costing approximately £20 million annually.
  • Bereavement-related primary care consultations estimated at £2.0 million annually.
  • Bereaved individuals showed significantly lower employment rates in the year of and two years post-bereavement, with no significant income differences.

Conclusions:

  • Bereavement imposes considerable socioeconomic costs on individuals and the Scottish healthcare system.
  • Reduced employment post-bereavement suggests a need for targeted support.
  • Further research into the long-term economic impact and effective interventions is warranted.

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