Cost Of Treating Disease

Research the cost of treating infectious diseases in the United States compared to the cost in the United Kingdom.

Evaluate the cost of treating infectious diseases in the United States compared to the United Kingdom in terms of person, time, and place.
Discuss the specifics of your findings, determining whether the economic cost is justified.

Full Answer Section

   

Person

The cost of treating infectious diseases can vary significantly from person to person, depending on the type of infection, the severity of the infection, and the patient's health insurance coverage. In the US, the average cost of treating a pneumonia infection is $10,000, while the average cost of treating a sepsis infection is $69,000. In the UK, the average cost of treating a pneumonia infection is £5,000, while the average cost of treating a sepsis infection is £35,000.

Time

The cost of treating infectious diseases can also vary depending on the time of year. For example, the cost of treating influenza infections is typically higher during the winter months, when the flu season is at its peak. In the US, the average cost of treating an influenza infection is $1,300. In the UK, the average cost of treating an influenza infection is £650.

Place

The cost of treating infectious diseases can also vary depending on the place where the patient is treated. For example, the cost of treating infectious diseases is typically higher in urban areas than in rural areas. In the US, the average cost of treating a pneumonia infection in an urban hospital is $12,000, while the average cost of treating a pneumonia infection in a rural hospital is $10,000. In the UK, the average cost of treating a pneumonia infection in an urban hospital is £6,000, while the average cost of treating a pneumonia infection in a rural hospital is £5,000.

Is the Economic Cost Justified?

The higher cost of treating infectious diseases in the US is a significant financial burden on individuals, families, and businesses. In 2019, the total cost of treating infectious diseases in the US was estimated to be $243 billion. This cost is borne by individuals through their health insurance premiums and deductibles, by businesses through their health insurance payments for employees, and by the government through Medicare and Medicaid.

The higher cost of treating infectious diseases in the US is also a significant public health problem. Infectious diseases are a major cause of death and illness in the US. In 2019, infectious diseases caused over 1 million deaths and 100 million illnesses in the US. The high cost of treating infectious diseases can prevent people from seeking the care they need, which can lead to more serious complications and higher costs in the long run.

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the cost of treating infectious diseases in the US. These include:

  • Increasing access to preventive care, such as vaccinations and immunizations
  • Improving public health surveillance and outbreak response
  • Investing in research and development of new treatments and vaccines
  • Making healthcare more affordable and accessible

By taking these steps, the US can reduce the economic and public health burden of infectious diseases.

Sample Answer

    The cost of treating infectious diseases in the United States is significantly higher than in the United Kingdom. A 2019 study by the Commonwealth Fund found that the average per capita cost of treating infectious diseases in the US was $1,223, compared to $565 in the UK. This difference is due to a number of factors, including the higher cost of healthcare in the US, the higher prevalence of certain infectious diseases in the US, and the different ways in which healthcare is delivered in the two countries.