Use your browser's BACK button to return to your page of origin.
The economic value of reductions in gonorrhea and syphilis incidence
in the United States, 1990 – 2003.
Preventive Medicine 2006; 43:411-415.
Chesson HW, Gift TL, Pulver ALS.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prevention efforts can reduce the considerable health and economic
burdens imposed by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The objective of
this study was to estimate the reduction in direct medical costs associated
with reductions in gonorrhea and syphilis incidence in the United States
from 1990 to 2003. METHODS: Using published estimates of the per-case costs
of STDs, we estimated the annual costs from 1990 to 2003 of four main outcomes:
primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis, congenital syphilis, gonorrhea,
and HIV costs attributable to the facilitative effects of gonorrhea and syphilis
on HIV transmission and acquisition. RESULTS: Reductions in syphilis and
gonorrhea from 1990 to 2003 have saved an estimated 5.0 billion dollars (in
2003 U.S. dollars): 1.1 billion dollars in costs associated with P&S
syphilis, congenital syphilis, and gonorrhea, and 3.9 billion dollars in
HIV costs attributable to syphilis and gonorrhea. In additional analyses,
the estimated reductions in disease burden were substantially lower (1) when
calculated incrementally (rather than cumulatively) and (2) when long-term
costs of STDs were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: These estimated reductions in the
burden of gonorrhea and syphilis show the economic benefits of reducing the
incidence of these STDs and preventing their resurgence.