The Economic Implications of Treating Atherothrombotic Disease in Australia, From the Government Perspective

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The management of atherothrombotic disease is responsible for a large proportion of direct medical costs in most countries, imposing a substantial financial burden on health care payers. There is limited knowledge about direct per-person medical costs using a "bottom-up" approach. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to estimate the per-person direct medical costs incurred by communitybased subjects in Australia who have or are at high risk for atherothrombotic disease. The perspective was a governmental one, at the federal level for pharmaceuticals and at the state level for hospitalizations. METHODS: One-year follow-up data were obtained for Australian participants in the interna..