Costs of treating heart disease and cancer have increased substantially

The costs of treating heart disease and cancer rose markedly between 2000 and 2004, from $62 billion to $90 billion and $42 billion to $62 billion, respectively, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In this study, expenditure estimates for 2000 were inflated to 2004 dollars.

AHRQ also found that:

• During the same period, spending on treatment for mental disorders increased from $38 billion to $52 billion; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease expenditures rose from $40 billion to $49 billion during the same period; and spending on trauma disorders increased from $46 billion to $59 billion.
• Spending on cancer patients increased the most – from an average per person of $4,577 to $5,727.
• More patients were treated for these conditions in 2004 as compared with 2000. The greatest increase – 24 million to 34 million – occurred for patients with mental disorders.

The data in this AHRQ News and Numbers come from the AHRQ's Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the nation's most complete survey of how Americans use and pay for health care, including their health insurance coverage. AHRQ, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works to enhance America's health care system by developing and promoting evidence to improve quality, efficiency, effectiveness and safety. For more information, see The Five Most Costly Conditions, 2000 and 2004: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population.

http://www.ahrq.gov/