Skip to main content
Home
Home

Main navigation 2

  • Events
    Mexico Flag
    Center for the U.S. and Mexico | Mexico Forum
    Thu, Dec. 07, 2023 | 8 am - 5 pm
    Mexico Country Outlook 2024 See Details
    Healthy Lifestyle
    Center for Health and Biosciences | U.S. Health System Transformation
    Fri, Dec. 08, 2023 | 8:30 am - 6 pm
    2023 Texas NMDOH Consortium Conference: Advancing Research, Policy and Practice See Details
    The globe at night; focus on Europe
    Center for Energy Studies
    Fri, Dec. 08, 2023 | 6:30 pm - 8 pm
    Insights into Energy Geopolitics: A Conversation with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo See Details
  • Experts
  • Divisions
  • Research & Commentary
  • Press
  • Support
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Search
  • Research
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Economics & Finance
  • Energy
  • Foreign Policy
  • Domestic Policy
  • Health & Science
  • All Publications
Global Health | Center for Health and Biosciences | Journal

Global Economic Burden of Chagas Disease: A Computational Simulation Model

February 8, 2013 | Peter J. Hotez
A globe lies next to the diaphragm of a stethoscope.

Table of Contents

Author(s)

Peter J. Hotez
Fellow in Disease and Poverty

Share this Publication

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Linkedin
  • Print This Publication

By Bruce Y. Lee, Kristina M. Bacon, Maria Elena Bottazzi and Peter J. Hotez

Abstract

Background: As Chagas disease continues to expand beyond tropical and subtropical zones, a growing need exists to better understand its resulting economic burden to help guide stakeholders such as policy makers, funders, and product developers. We developed a Markov simulation model to estimate the global and regional health and economic burden of Chagas disease from the societal perspective.

Methods: Our Markov model structure had a 1 year cycle length and consisted of five states: acute disease, indeterminate disease, cardiomyopathy with or without congestive heart failure, megaviscera, and death. Major model parameter inputs, including the annual probabilities of transitioning from one state to another, and present case estimates for Chagas disease came from various sources, including WHO and other epidemiological and disease-surveillance-based reports. We calculated annual and lifetime health-care costs and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for individuals, countries, and regions. We used a discount rate of 3% to adjust all costs and DALYs to present-day values.

Findings: On average, an infected individual incurs US$474 in health-care costs and 0·51 DALYs annually. Over his or her lifetime, an infected individual accrues an average net present value of $3456 and 3·57 DALYs. Globally, the annual burden is $627·46 million in health-care costs and 806,170 DALYs. The global net present value of currently infected individuals is $24·73 billion in health-care costs and 29,385,250 DALYs. Conversion of this burden into costs results in annual per-person costs of $4660 and lifetime per-person costs of $27,684. Global costs are $7·19 billion per year and $188·80 billion per lifetime. More than 10% of these costs emanate from the USA and Canada, where Chagas disease has not been traditionally endemic. A substantial proportion of the burden emerges from lost productivity from cardiovascular disease-induced early mortality.

Interpretation: The economic burden of Chagas disease is similar to or exceeds those of other prominent diseases globally (eg, rotavirus $2·0 billion, cervical cancer $4·7 billion) even in the USA (Lyme disease $2·5 billion), where Chagas disease has not been traditionally endemic, suggesting an economic argument for more attention and efforts towards control of Chagas disease.

Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study.

Read the full article in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(13)70002-1
  • Print This Publication
  • Share
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Linkedin

Related Research

China Map
Center for Health and Biosciences | Working Paper

Brain Capital’s Role in US-China Competition

Read More
GettyImages-1293518171-Doctor+Patient
Center for Health and Biosciences | Issue Brief

Ensuring Understanding: Language-Concordant Discharge Instructions

Read More
Table full of fresh vegetables and produce
Center for Health and Biosciences | Issue Brief

Food is Medicine: A Primer on Health System Initiatives in Texas

Read More
  • Donate Now
  • Media Inquiries
  • Membership
  • About the Institute
  • Rice.edu
Contact Us

6100 Main Street
Baker Hall MS-40, Suite 120
Houston, TX 77005
Email: bipp@rice.edu
Phone: 713-348-4683
Fax: 713-348-5993

  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • © Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy
  • Web Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy