Table 3.
US total economic burdena of influenza in 2003 by age group and health outcome
| Portion of total burden | Share of direct medical costsb | |
|---|---|---|
| Age group | ||
| ≥65 years | 64 % (US$55.7 billion) | 40 % (US$4.2 billion) |
| 50–64 years | 21 % (US$18.3 billion) | 27 % (US$2.8 billion) |
| 18–49 years | 10 % (US$8.7 billion) | 18 % (US$1.9 billion) |
| <18 years | 5 % (US$4.3 billion) | 15 % (US$1.7 billion) |
| Health outcome | ||
| Deaths | 83 % (US$72.2 billion) | 18 % (US$1.9 billion) |
| Outpatient care | 8 % (US$6.8 billion) | 30 % (US$3.1 billion) |
| Hospitalizations | 7 % (US$6.0 billion) | 52 % (US$5.4 billion) |
| No medical attention | 2 % (US$2.0 billion) | <1 % (<US$0.1 billion) |
aTotal economic burden = direct medical costs, lost earnings from illness, and the value of statistical life (VSL) method of valuation [medical + lost earnings + lost life]
bTo treat the disease and its complications; total US$10.4 billion annually
Data from Molinari et al. [2]