Asthma: Cost

Description

Asthma: Cost

Images: UNC CEHS COEC

Big Idea: Preventative measures can reduce the cost of care for a person with asthma.

Talking Points

• The combination of asthma education and removing or reducing environmental exposures can also save money. The average annual cost of care for a person with asthma is about $3,000. This figure includes the costs of medical appointments, transportation to appointments, time missed from work, and medications.
• This figure doesn’t include intangible, but still burdensome, costs such as decreases in quality of life, increases in pain or suffering, and limits on physical activities.
• Health professionals have an opportunity to help families reduce these costs and improve overall health. For example, studies on home-based environmental interventions show almost $2,000 per year in savings per person with asthma.

Sources:
Nunes C, Pereira AM, Morais-Almeida M. Asthma costs and social impact. Asthma research and practice. 2017;3:1. doi:10.1186/s40733-016-0029-3.
Minnesota Department of Health, “Reducing Environmental Triggers of Asthma (RETA) Home Intervention Project.” September 2007.