An economic evaluation of asthma in the United States

Hospitalization is the largest component of health care costs for asthma and the cost of hospitalization could be reduced by educating asthma patients about their disease, giving them regular check-ups and treating them in clinics. A projection was made of the amount of money spent on care and treatment of asthma patients in 1990 based on the estimated amount spent in 1985. The cost of treatment for asthma patients in 1990 was estimated at $6.2 billion. The largest estimated direct cost was inpatient hospital care at approximately $1.6 billion. The largest indirect cost was days missed from school at approximately $900 million. Hospitalization, emergency room use and death made up 43% of costs associated with care and treatment of asthma patients. Asthma patients who receive regular medical care are rarely hospitalized. But those who cannot afford regular care may be hospitalized more frequently, and are more likely to die from asthma complications. More effective drugs for asthma patients may increase the immediate cost of medical care, but decrease expenses associated with hospitalization and death.