Cost of illness of leukemia in Japan - Trend analysis and future projections

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Health Economics
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Leukemia is a significant hematological malignancy with a substantial societal and financial impact.
• Analyzing the cost of illness (COI) is crucial for understanding and managing the economic burden of leukemia.
• Japan faces a considerable public health challenge due to leukemia's prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the cost of illness (COI) associated with leukemia in Japan.
• To identify the key factors driving the economic burden of leukemia.
• To project future trends in leukemia's cost of illness.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a cost of illness (COI) methodology applied to Japanese government statistics.
• Summed direct and indirect costs of leukemia from 1996 to 2014.
• Projected future COI for leukemia for the years 2017–2029.

Main Results:

• The total COI for leukemia in Japan showed an upward trend, increasing by 13% between 1996 and 2014 (270–305 billion yen).
• Increased direct costs were the primary driver of the rising COI.
• While overall mortality costs declined (attributed to an aging population), the proportion of mortality costs for individuals aged 65 and above consistently increased.

Conclusions:

• Leukemia's COI in Japan rose from 1996 to 2014 but is projected to decline in the future.
• Advancements in leukemia therapies are shifting the burden towards long-term care, maintaining direct and morbidity costs.
• The findings underscore a continuing financial strain on public funds, offering valuable insights for future Japanese health policy development.