[Socio-economic costs of mental health in the Canary Islands, Spain, in 2002]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the economic impact in terms of direct and indirect costs of the mental health in Canary Islands (Spain) in 2002.

Design: The cost-of-illness method was used. Direct and indirect costs were estimated using prevalence cost, i.e., the costs produced in 2002. The human capital theory approach has been used.

Setting: Canary Islands, Spain, including primary health care and inpatient care.

Participants: Mental health patients.

Main measurements: Direct health costs (inpatients, ambulatory care, primary health care, and drugs). Indirect costs (premature death, short-term illness, and permanent disability).

Results: The total costs of mental health were 189.59 million euros. The direct health costs were 81.67 million euros, constituting 43% of the total costs and 5.2% of the total public health care budget in this region. The indirect costs of mental health were 107.92 million euros, representing 57% of the total costs.

Conclusions: Although this study adopts a conservative approach, the high socio-economic cost of the mental health helps us to define better the dimension of the problem to establish priorities besides opening a way towards cost-effectiveness studies that allow a more transparent debate on this topic.