Cardio tops the health cost list

The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently published a top ten list of US health expenditures.

The ranking showed that heart disease remains the main healthcare expense followed closely by trauma follwed by cancer.

Here is the full list:

1. Cardiovascular ($76 billion)
2. Trauma ($72 billion)
3. Cancer ($70 billion)
4. Mental disorders ($56 billion)
5. Respiratory disease ($54 billion)
6. High blood pressure ($42 billion)
7. Type 2 diabetes ($34 billion)
8. Osteoporosis ($34 billion)
9. Back problems ($32 billion)
10. Childbirth ($32 billion)

The figures were calculated from paid visits to doctor’s offices, clinics and emergency departments, hospital stays, home healthcare and prescription medicines during 2005. Hence, the numbers represent direct treatment costs. The true costs, which include measures such as loss of work, health insurance and other patient borne expenses, are much higher.

Something to keep in mind when you’re thinking of where to put your research time and investment money…

Read more: “Big Money: Cost of 10 Most Expensive Health Conditions Near $500 Billion”

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