Global Economic Burden Of Asbestos Related Diseases In Comparison With The Costs Of Production And Consumption
- Author:
Syed Mohamed Aljunid
;
Ahmad Munir Qureshi
;
David Baguma
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Cost;
Development;
Mesothelioma;
Lung cancer;
Savings;
Welfare;
Developing countries
- From:Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine
2017;17(1):111-125
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Occupational cancers, including mesothelioma and lung cancer are linked to the use of asbestos. Annually, at least
100,000 global deaths are attributed to asbestos exposure putting a heavy burden on national budgets. Expenses
incurred on treatment of asbestos related diseases (ARDs) reduce households and national resource savings, while ARDs
culminate in terminal burdens. The objective of this study is to measure the economic burden of ARDs and to assess the
economic impact of asbestos consumption. The health and economic burden of asbestos was estimated in macro-global
consumption-production model using production function frontier-based and generalized least squared approach for
asbestos products and cost tabulation. Production, in metric tons (Mt) was adopted as a dependent variable among
explanatory variables, including consumption. Information on treatment cost of asbestos related diseases (mesothelioma,
asbestosis and lung cancer) was obtained from costing information and published literatures. Annual total economic
burden of asbestos is at USD 11.92 billion. Out of this cost, USD 4.34 billion per annum is the economic burden of
managing three common ARDs. The cost of compensation for patients suffering ARDs is USD 4.28 billion. From the
remaining USD 3.3 billion, USD 2.93 billion is the value of asbestos consumed in 2003 and USD372.15 million is the loss of
earning due to hospital visits and admissions. For every USD 1 spent on consumption of asbestos, global economy has to
absorb almost USD 4 due to health consequences of ARDs. Banning of asbestos production and usage in production of
goods has far-reaching impacts on household welfare, health and economic development. The insights revealed are
expected to inform decision makers the need to ban all forms of asbestos, especially in developing countries where usage
is increasing.
- Full text:P020170622477586698360.pdf
