Economic and Societal Costs of Stroke

Direct and indirect costs of stroke (NCDs) adversely impact macroeconomic productivity and national and household income pose a significant financial burden on health-care budgets. The estimated global economic loss due to cardiovascular disease (stroke and heart disease) has been estimated at US$ 863.5 billion in 2010. It is estimated to increase by 22% and to US$ 1.04 billion in 2030. For the period 2011–2025, the cumulative lost output in low- and middle-income countries associated with cardiovascular disease (stroke and heart disease) is projected at more than US$ 3.76 trillion. The total cost of implementing a set of very cost effective interventions for prevention and management of stroke across all low- and middle-income countries for the period 2011–2025, is estimated at only US$ 170 billion. This amounts to an annual per person investment of under US$ 1 in low-income countries, US$ 1.50 in lower-middle-income countries and US$ 3 in upper-middle-income countries.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Cost-effective interventions, Direct costs, Economic burden, Household income, Indirect costs, Low- and middle-income countries, Macroeconomic productivity, National income, Stroke.