How much for a broken heart? Costs of cardiovascular disease in Colombia using a person-based approach

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are shifting from developed to Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).
• Accurate healthcare cost data is crucial for NCD planning, prevention, and control, especially in LMICs with limited information.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke, represent a significant component of the NCD epidemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the person-based healthcare costs of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in Colombia.
• To provide essential economic data for NCD management in a LMIC context.
• To inform health system planning and resource allocation for cardiovascular diseases.

Main Methods:

• A person-based approach was utilized to estimate healthcare costs.
• Data collection focused on costs associated with Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke.
• Analysis was conducted within the Colombian healthcare system context.

Main Results:

• The estimated annual healthcare cost per person with Coronary Heart Disease in Colombia ranges from INT$4,277 to INT$4,846.
• The estimated annual healthcare cost per person with Stroke in Colombia ranges from INT$5,816 to INT$6,616.
• These costs represent a substantial financial burden on the healthcare system.

Conclusions:

• The increasing prevalence of NCDs, particularly cardiovascular diseases, coupled with high treatment costs, threatens the financial sustainability of health systems in LMICs.
• Primary prevention strategies and policies addressing social determinants of health are vital for mitigating these costs.
• Investing in prevention is a promising approach to ensure the long-term financial viability of healthcare systems facing the NCD epidemic.