India: Increased household costs of NCDs

The share of household out-of-pocket health costs attributed to NCDs increased from 32% in 1995-1996 to 47% in 2004, according to new research. Also, researchers found that the odds of catastrophic hospitalization expenditure for cancer was almost 170% greater than the odds due to communicable diseases, and the odds due to CVD 22% greater compared to communicable diseases. Household borrowing and sale of assets represents 40% to 50% of expenditure due to NCDs. Out-of-pocket expenditure per hospital stay and per outpatient visit are significant higher in private facilities compared to public facilities, and a significant percentage of expenditure goes to medications, diagnostics, and medical appliances. In India, NCDs and injuries represent 62% of the burden of disability adjusted life years. 

Date Posted: 1 May 2012