Social and Economic Costs of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Across the Lifespan

Emma Sciberras; Jared Streatfeild; Tristan Ceccato; Lynne Pezzullo; James G Scott; Christel M Middeldorp; Paul Hutchins; Roger Paterson; Mark A Bellgrove; David Coghill

doi:10.1177/1087054720961828

Social and Economic Costs of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Across the Lifespan

J Atten Disord. 2022 Jan;26(1):72-87. doi: 10.1177/1087054720961828. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

Authors

Emma Sciberras^{1

2

3}, Jared Streatfeild⁴, Tristan Ceccato⁴, Lynne Pezzullo⁴, James G Scott^{5

6

7}, Christel M Middeldorp^{8

9

10}, Paul Hutchins^{11

12}, Roger Paterson¹³, Mark A Bellgrove¹⁴, David Coghill^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
² Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
³ University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
⁴ Deloitte Access Economics Pty Ltd, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
⁵ Metro North Mental Health Service, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁶ QIMRB Research Institute Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁷ Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, QLD, Australia.
⁸ University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁹ Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia.
¹⁰ Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
¹¹ Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
¹² University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹³ Hollywood Specialist Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
¹⁴ Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

PMID: 33047627
DOI: 10.1177/1087054720961828

Abstract

Objective: To determine the financial and non-financial costs of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan.

Method: The population costs of ADHD in Australia were estimated for the financial year 2018 to 2019 using a prevalence approach to cost estimation across all ages. Financial (healthcare, productivity, education and justice systems, and deadweight losses) and non-financial costs were measured (Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)).

Results: The total social and economic cost of ADHD in 2018 to 2019 were US$12.76 billion (range US$8.40 billion to US$17.44 billion, with per person costs of US$15,664 per year). Productivity costs made up 81% of the total financial costs, followed by deadweight losses (11%), and health system costs (4%). Loss in terms of wellbeing was significant (US$5.31 billion).

Conclusion: There is a need to raise public awareness of the considerable socioeconomic impact and burden of ADHD in order to drive investment and policy decisions that improve identification and treatment of ADHD.

Keywords: ADHD; costs; economic; education; health care; justice; wellbeing.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / epidemiology
Cost of Illness
Educational Status
Humans
Longevity
Prevalence