The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other country in the world. In 2015, spending on healthcare reached $3.2 trillion, accounting for 17.8 percent of the gross domestic product and amounting to $9,990 per person, according to CMS. A recent healthcare spending study published in JAMA sought to break down which conditions cost the U.S. healthcare system the most.
To break down which conditions are the costliest to the U.S. healthcare system, researchers disaggregated spending on six types of personal healthcare — including inpatient care, ambulatory care, emergency department care, nursing facility care and dental care — across 155 conditions and 38 age and sex groups from 1996 to 2013. Of 155 medical conditions, people personally spent $1.2 trillion on the top 20 alone in 2013. For more on that data, click here.
In addition to the six types of personal healthcare spending, researchers also generated a list of the 20 conditions that accounted for the most public health spending in 2013. Federal public health program budget data were pulled from the four primary federal agencies that provide public health funding, including the Health Resources and Services Administration, the CDC, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
In 2013, 23.8 percent of government public health spending was provided by these four agencies.
Here are the 20 conditions that accounted for the most public health spending in 2013, with spending amounts reflected in 2015 dollars.
1. HIV/AIDS — $3.52 billion
2. Lower respiratory tract infections — $1.78 billion
3. Diarrheal diseases — $930 million
4. Other infectious diseases (viral Chlamydia infection and streptococcal infection) — $670 million
5. Hepatitis — $600 million
6. Preterm birth complications (respiratory distress and extreme immaturity) — $390 million
7. Varicella — $350 million
8. Tobacco (use disorder and cessation) — $340 million
9. Family planning — $290 million
10. Tetanus — $190 million
11. Whooping cough — $190 million
12. Diphtheria — $190 million
13. Sexually transmitted diseases excluding HIV — $180 million
14. Breast cancer — $180 million
15. Meningitis — $170 million
16. Low back and neck pain — $140 million
17. Tuberculosis — $140 million
18. Self harm — $140 million
19. Other neonatal disorders (feeding problems and temperature regulation) — $130 million
20. Trachea, bronchus and lung cancers — $130 million
More articles on finance:
UMass Memorial points to Epic implementation for drop in operating income
20 health conditions people spent most on in 2013 — and what the bulk of their money went toward
5 most-read finance stories: Week of Dec. 19-23