Health Economics of Cardiovascular Disease in the United States.

The article discusses the health economics of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the United States. CVD is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country, resulting in significant direct medical spending and indirect costs. The economic burden of CVD is felt at various levels, including society, clinicians, and individual patients or families. Factors such as obesity, hypertension, and the increasing cost of cardiovascular medications and procedures contribute to the rising medical spending and indirect costs associated with CVD. Demographic shifts, including the aging and diversification of the population, are projected to drive cost growth and the need for cardiovascular services. Structural and systemic racism and other inequities contribute to the disproportionate burden of CVD borne by Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals. The tension between the price and speed of innovation and health economics is also discussed, with high-priced but highly effective drugs facing challenges in uptake due to their unaffordability. The article emphasizes the need for policy interventions to address these issues, including reducing the unit costs of high-priced treatments, increasing access to innovative care, and reducing health care spending through prevention and addressing high prices. The economic trends facing clinicians, such as consolidation, corporatization, and private equity ownership, are also highlighted, along with the financial burdens faced by individuals and families affected by CVD. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of prioritizing access, quality, and prevention to maximize cardiovascular health for all individuals in the United States. [Extracted from the article]