Published in:
01-07-2007 | Original Research Article
Direct and Indirect Costs Attributable to Alcohol Consumption in Germany
Published in: PharmacoEconomics | Issue 7/2007
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Aim
To estimate the direct and indirect costs of morbidity and mortality attributable to alcohol consumption in Germany from a societal perspective in 2002.
Methods
Using the concept of attributable risks and the prevalence-based approach, age- and gender-specific alcohol-attributable fractions for morbidity and mortality were calculated for alcoholic disorder, neoplasms, endocrinological, nervous, circulatory, digestive, skin and perinatal disorders, and injuries and poisonings. The literature provided data on alcohol consumption in Germany by age, gender and dose amount, and relative risks. Direct costs were calculated based on routine resource utilisation and expenditure statistics. Indirect costs were calculated based on the human capital approach using a discount rate of 5%.
Results
Alcohol consumption accounted for 5.5% of all deaths and 970 000 years of potential life lost. Total costs were €24 398 million, amounting to 1.16% of Germany’s GDP, or €296 per person. Direct medical and non-medical costs were €8441 million. Indirect costs were €15 957 million (69% mortality and 31% morbidity costs). In contrast, protective health effects of alcohol consumption saved €4839 million.
Conclusions
The magnitude of alcohol-attributable morbidity and mortality and associated costs demands more preventive efforts.