Abstract
ObjectiveTo examine the health care costs associated with mental disorders and subthreshold mental disorders within a nationally representative sample of children and adolescents in Australia.MethodData were derived from the Young Minds Matter Survey (N = 6,310). Mental disorders were classified using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV. Participant data were linked to administrative data on health care costs. Adjusted generalized linear regression models and two-part models were used to estimate mean differences in costs between those with a mental disorder or subthreshold disorder and those without.ResultsCosts associated with health care attendances and medications were higher for children and adolescents with mental disorders and subthreshold mental disorders compared to those without a mental disorder. The additional population health care costs due to mental disorders amounted to AUD$234 million annually in children and adolescents, of which approximately 16% was attributed to out-of-pocket costs. Findings showed that those with subthreshold mental disorders or comorbid mental disorders have substantial additional costs of Medicare-funded medical and pharmaceutical services.Conclusion and implicationMental disorders in children and adolescents are associated with significant health care costs. Further research is needed to ensure that this population is receiving effective and efficient care.
Highlights
Mental disorders in children and adolescents have been associated with significant economic burden
Health care cost and children and adolescents to apply for access to the data set is available on our website under the Resources tab, described in the Young Minds Matter CURF Data Release Protocol and the Young Minds Matter CURF Technical Manual
In Australian children and adolescents, major depressive disorder (MDD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD), and anxiety disorders (AnxD) were associated with a higher use and expenditure in mental health-related Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme services
Summary
Mental disorders in children and adolescents have been associated with significant economic burden. Fatori et al 2018 found that the annual health sector costs accounted for more than half of the national costs of sub-threshold and clinical mental disorders in 6–14 year olds followed by costs associated with school problems and parental loss of productivity [2]. Both UK and US research have shown that amongst children and adolescents, having a mental disorder was associated with higher annual health care costs, at least two times more than those without any disorder [3]. There is no study available that provides a national picture of the annual costs of all child and adolescent mental disorders in Australia [3]
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