Healthcare and economic impact

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection presents a significant and costly public health challenge in Spain.
• Current models of HIV patient care exhibit clinical and geographical variations.
• There is an identified need for novel, comprehensive HIV care strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing model of HIV patient care and analyze its economic impact.
• To highlight disparities in HIV care delivery.
• To underscore the importance of early detection and comprehensive care models.

Main Methods:

• Review of current HIV patient care models.
• Analysis of economic impact, including direct and indirect costs.
• Correlation analysis between disease severity and healthcare costs.

Main Results:

• Key cost drivers include antiretroviral therapy, indirect costs, hospital admissions, consultations, and diagnostic tests.
• A strong correlation exists between HIV severity and associated healthcare costs.
• Late diagnosis is linked to poorer clinical outcomes, increased mortality, and higher resource utilization.

Conclusions:

• Early detection of HIV significantly enhances clinical outcomes for patients.
• The growing number of patients on treatment and an aging patient population will escalate future HIV healthcare costs.
• Developing new, comprehensive HIV care models is essential to manage the disease effectively and mitigate economic impact.