Economic damage of risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality from major chronic non-communicable diseases in Russia in 2016

Abstract

Aim. To assess the socioeconomic damage of risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality from major chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) in the Russian population in 2016. Material and methods. The following RF were included in the analysis: smoking, alcohol abuse, high salt intake, insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, consumption of processed red meat, low physical activity, obesity, hypertension (HTN), which have a significant causal relationship with the major CNCDs: cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer of 10 locations (lung, breast, cervix, ovary, prostate, kidney, stomach, liver, pancreas, colon). Based on the data on the RF prevalence in the Russian population by ESSE-RF study and relative risks by large studies, the population attributable risk for each CNCD was estimated. We used the data of the Federal State Statistics Service, annual forms of Federal Statistical Observation, as well as the results of the Government Guarantee Program for free medical care and the corresponding diagnosis-related groups for 2016. The direct costs of the healthcare system and economic losses due to morbidity and mortality from the major CNCDs associated with the considered RF are determined. The calculations were performed in Microsoft Excel 10.0. Results. Indirect losses due to premature mortality prevail over direct costs of medical care and disability benefits in the economic damage structure of each RF. The largest damage of four major CNCDs was associated with HTN — 869,9 billion rubles, which is equivalent to 1,01% of gross domestic product (GDP). The next places were taken by obesity — 605,8 billion rubles (0,7% of GDP), smoking — 421,4 billion rubles (0,49% of GDP) and low physical activity — 273,0 billion rubles. (0,32% of GDP). The contribution of improper feeding (high salt intake, insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, consumption of processed red meat) amounted to 0,17% of GDP (145,3 billion rubles), 0,19% of GDP (160,9 billion rubles) and 0,10% of GDP (83,4 billion rubles), respectively. Alcohol abuse made the smallest contribution to CNCD-related damage — 82,5 billion rubles (0.1% of GDP). This is due to the low prevalence of alcohol abuse in the Russian population according to ESSE-RF study. Conclusion. Assessment of the economic damage of CNCD RF allows determining the priority areas in healthcare and substantiating the effectiveness of CNCD preventive measures aimed at reducing the RF impact, and, consequently, the burden on the healthcare system and the national economy.