Australia’s liver burden
March 27, 2013
LIVER disease now affects more
than six million Australians
according to a new report.
The Economic Cost and Health
Burden of Liver Disease in Australia
report was produced by Deloitte
Access Economics, and found that
in addition to affecting over a
quarter of the population liver
disease equates to a staggering
annual cost burden of $50.7 billion.
“With the number of Australians
with liver disease reaching over
eight million by 2030 it is
imperative we act quickly,” said
report contributor Associate
Professor Amany Zekry, liver
specialist at St George Hospital.
“It is responsible for one quarter
of all organ transplants and if left
untreated, results in liver cancer –
our fastest growing form of cancer
in Australia.
“We can’t ignore it any more -
liver disease must receive prompt
attention and urgent recognition as
a chronic condition and national
health priority,” she added.
According to the report, 5.5m
Aussies now have non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease, making it Australia’s
most prevalent form of liver disease.
Meanwhile, the report also noted
that viral hepatitis (including chronic
hepatitis B and C) is the second
most common form of liver disease
affecting more than 500,000 Aussies,
whilst productivity impact of liver
diseases was found to be $4.2b.
Of this figure, $2.1b in productivity
losses were associated with lower
employment participation, and
absenteeism resulted in an
additional cost of $207m.
The report also noted that
informal care for people with liver
diseases is often undertaken by
family members or friends and
represents a economic opportunity
cost of approximately $259m.
Other major findings of the report
included the fact that viral hepatitis
is the main contributor to the
estimated $432m health costs for
treating liver diseases each year in
Australia.
Meanwhile the report calls for the
establishment of a national
database for chronic liver diseases,
as well as the development of a
model liver clinic that delivers
multidisciplinary care to patients.
In addition, the report calls for
nurse-led community based model
of care in collaboration with
primary care physicians and
integrated into hospital based liver
centres; and national liver cancer
screening program for the 70,000
Australians in high risk groups.
“Liver damage, in many cases, is
attributable to one or more of
three major public health issues
– high-fat diet, alcohol and viral
hepatitis,” said study contributor
Professor Geoff McCaughan, Head
of the National Liver Transplant
Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
“Many forms of liver disease are
therefore preventable and many
more, if detected early, can be
treated effectively.
“Prompt and effective action will
significantly reduce the financial,
physical and emotional burden of
this challenging disease,” he added.
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