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An economic evaluation of schizophrenia--1991
R J Wyatt1, I Henter, M C Leary
1Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Neuroscience Research Center at St. Elizabeths, Washington, DC 20032, USA.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|August 1, 1995
Summary
The total cost of schizophrenia in 1991 was $65 billion, with indirect costs significantly impacting productivity and caregiving. This study details the direct and indirect expenditures associated with schizophrenia in adult Americans.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Economics
- Public Health and Healthcare Management
Background:
- Schizophrenia affects 1.5% of adult Americans, imposing substantial economic burdens.
- Previous cost estimates for schizophrenia have varied, necessitating updated analyses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively estimate the total economic cost of schizophrenia in the United States for 1991.
- To delineate and analyze the direct and indirect cost components associated with schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of costs into direct (treatment, criminal justice) and indirect (lost productivity, suicide, caregiving) expenditures.
- Utilized a specific methodology for calculating indirect costs, potentially differing from prior studies.
- Detailed breakdown of expenditures for wage earners, homemakers, institutionalized individuals, suicides, and family caregivers.
Main Results:
- Total estimated cost of schizophrenia in 1991 amounted to $65 billion.
- Direct costs reached $19 billion, encompassing treatment and non-treatment related expenses.
- Indirect costs totaled $46 billion, primarily driven by lost productivity and caregiver burden.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia represents a significant economic burden in the U.S., with indirect costs being a major contributor.
- The study highlights the wide-ranging economic impact of schizophrenia, affecting individuals, families, and society.
- Understanding these costs is crucial for developing effective public health and economic policies for mental illness.