Epidemiology & Policy

An analysis by AHRQ has identified the most expensive medical conditions that keep driving up the cost of medical care. Public health programs need to focus their skills on reducing these conditions, in addition to their traditional programs. The ten conditions are:
Heart conditions—$76 billion.
Trauma disorders—$72 billion.
Cancer—$70 billion.
Mental disorders, including depression—$56.0 billion.
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—$54 billion.
High blood pressure—$42 billion.
Type 2 diabetes—$34 billion.
Osteoarthritis and other joint diseases—$34 billion.
Back problems—$32 billion.
Normal childbirth—$32 billion.