The Disease Burden and Economic Burden of Cancer in 9 Countries in the Middle East and Africa
Hofmarcher T, Manzano Garcia A, Wilking N, Lindgren P
Countries in the Middle East and Africa are experiencing a demographic transition that shifts the disease burden from communicable diseases to noncommunicable diseases, including cancer. The link between the disease burden of cancer and the economic burden of cancer is not well understood in this region.
Cancer has emerged as a leading cause of death and disease burden in the Middle East and Africa between 2000 and 2019. The economic impact of cancer from healthcare spending and productivity losses is already significant, reaching 0.1% to 0.2% of GDP in the Gulf countries and up to 0.8% of GDP in other countries in the region.
Spurred by population aging, the annual number of new cancer cases is expected to rise sharply across the region until 2040. Health policy needs to start shifting the focus from infectious diseases to cancer. Increasing spending on effective and cost-effective interventions will be important to improve patient outcomes and might also lead to reductions in certain societal costs of cancer.
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Value in Health Regional Issues, 2023; 37: 81–87
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2023.05.005
