Ever wondered what the personal average annual medical expenses are for the top 50 deadly diseases in the US?
Before we dwell into what these numbers look like, let’s take a look at what deadly actually means. Does deadly mean the kind that kills you quick? Is it the kind that takes a toll on the body over time and eventually ends with death? Are deadly diseases preventable or even curable?
The answer is that deadly can be any of those and/or a combined of those factors. Deadly can be a disease which comes quick, deadly can be a disease with processes slowly overtime to eventually causing death, deadly can be diseases which are curable but take a huge emotional and physical toll on the patient. Deadly can also be a disease which takes a toll on the nation’s economic and social wellbeing. But what about the diseases that take a financial toll on the patient’s pocket?
According to our research, cardiovascular disease costs patients a whopping estimate of $121,200 annually. That is a huge amount of money that goes into treating a disease which is actually quite treatable and preventable. Doctors routinely recommend, along with prescription medication, diet change and a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risks that come with having a cardiovascular disease. Similarly, on our list, diabetes sits at number 15 for being the most expensive deadly disease to treat. With the exception of diabetes type 1, studies have shown time and time again that diabetes type 2 is actually not only preventable but treatable.
For some of the deadly diseases listed on our infographic, prevention and treatment is available. Education on how to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating clean, getting enough exercise, reducing stress or managing stress effectively can actually add years to your life and potentially help you with the treatment of your disease.
Following your doctor’s orders and making lifestyle adjustments can minimize the amount of dollars that you are spending in the long term.
Take a look at the infographic to compare the diseases that may cost a fortune compared to diseases that are on the lower end of bringing you to a financial crisis. You will note that deadly will not always correlate to diseases which cost the most, but to diseases which are actually preventable. The diseases which are incurable in nature tend to cost lesser because the options are minimal and therefore, not costing the patient a fortune.
