Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Published on: September 27, 2024
The economic burden of rheumatic heart disease in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Khalifa Elmusharaf1, Sébastien Poix2, Emil Basil Scaria3
1Public Health, University of Birmingham Dubai, Dubai, UAE.
Insights
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) poses a significant economic burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, costing billions and projected to rise. Urgent, comprehensive strategies are needed to address this growing public health challenge.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an immune response to group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, primarily affecting children.
- Untreated ARF can lead to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), causing severe cardiac complications like valve stenosis and heart failure.
- RHD remains a significant health and economic issue in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries despite being preventable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the economic burden of ARF, RHD, and related complications in the EMR.
- To model the future disease burden and associated economic losses under a scenario of inaction.
- To inform policy and resource allocation for effective RHD mitigation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Economic analysis using secondary data and existing research from 22 EMR countries.
- Disease burden modeling considering population growth and structural changes.
- Assessment of economic losses via direct healthcare costs, premature deaths, absenteeism, and productivity losses.
Main Results:
- The estimated economic burden of ARF and RHD in the EMR was US$5.8 billion in 2020, representing 0.20% of the combined GDP.
- Indirect costs constituted 78% of the total economic burden.
- Projections indicate 192 million prevalent cases and 1.5 million deaths by 2050, with the burden potentially reaching US$166 billion between 2020-2050.
Conclusions:
- The RHD disease burden is escalating in the EMR, exacerbating health inequalities and straining healthcare resources.
- Economic evaluations are vital for informed planning and resource allocation to combat RHD.
- Regional governments must implement multi-faceted interventions including addressing social determinants, enhancing awareness, improving surveillance, and ensuring accessible healthcare.
Introduction:
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an immune response triggered by group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections, predominantly affecting children aged 5-15 years. Untreated ARF can progress to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), causing complications such as valve stenosis, heart failure and stroke. Despite preventability using antibiotics, RHD persists as a major health concern in many Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries. Beyond its health implications, RHD poses a significant economic burden on societies, emphasising the need for comprehensive solutions.
Methods:
An economic analysis was conducted to estimate the burden of RHD in 22 countries of the EMR using data from secondary databases and existing research. The analysis modelled the future disease burden, using a scenario of inaction and considering population growth and changes in population structure. Economic losses associated with RHD were explored through five pathways, including the (a) direct healthcare costs of preventing and treating RHD and its complications, (b) cost of premature deaths, (c) cost of absenteeism in adult patients, (d) cost of absenteeism in caregivers and (e) future productivity losses due to unfulfilled potential in children.
Results:
The estimated economic burden of ARF, RHD and its related complications in the EMR was US$5.8 billion in 2020, amounting to 0.20% of the combined gross domestic product. Indirect costs accounted for 78% of the burden. 192 million prevalent cases and 1.5 million deaths were expected by 2050. The burden is projected to increase to US$166 billion between 2020 and 2050.
Conclusion:
The disease burden of RHD is rising in the EMR, widening health inequalities and straining resources. Careful planning and resource allocation based on economic evaluations are crucial to mitigate this issue. Regional governments must implement measures to address social determinants, enhance community awareness, improve surveillance and provide accessible healthcare services to effectively tackle this challenge.
More Related Videos
06:16Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease
Published on: August 9, 2024
13:07Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:20Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
01:17Pericarditis III: Medical Management