Education for Health Presents New Model Showing a 1.2 Billion Pound Impact to UK Economy due to COPD in Patients of Working Age

1 July 2010

A new economic impact model has shown that as the disease heads towards being the third biggest cause of death globally by 20201, the cost implication to country healthcare systems and lost productivity within those of the working age group is significant. The findings highlight an urgent need to keep individuals with COPD active and contributing to society for the benefit of all^2.

In association with health economists, industry specialists and Education for Health, the COPD economic model was developed to provide the first step to uncovering the size of the economic impact of COPD amongst the working age population. According to its calculations, in the UK alone, the economic burden is £1.2billion per annum³, this includes not only direct healthcare costs, but factors such as lost income tax, payment of state benefits and productivity loss due to COPD. These calculations are based on the current age of retirement – if this is increased then the economic impact will also rise.

Speaking at COPD7, an International Conference on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Education for Health’s Chief Executive, Monica Fletcher said: “Studies have already shown that COPD has a devastating impact on quality of life, however, we now have a tool to enable us to determine the financial implications of this debilitating disease. These figures further demonstrate that early diagnosis and management of COPD may enable patients to maintain active and productive lives for longer, thereby helping to reduce the economic burden of the condition and improve patient quality of life”.

Read the full COPD Uncovered Press Release and download the Report here

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