The social and economic costs of ADHD in Australia

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts on many aspects of the life at an individual, family and societal level. Until now the cost of ADHD to Australia has not been quantified. Objectives: This session aims to describe research to assess these costs associated with ADHD conducted jointly between Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) and Deloitte Australia. Methods: The costs of ADHD in Australia were estimated for the financial year 2018-2019 using a prevalence approach to cost estimation. The broad types of costs included were financial costs to the Australian health system; productivity costs; other costs, which include costs of government services (education and the justice system); transfer costs, which comprise the deadweight losses, or reduced economic efficiency, and well-being costs, which are the costs associated with reduced quality of life and impaired functioning; and premature death that result from ADHD. Results: The total social and economic costs were estimated to be AU$20.42 billion. Productivity costs make up 81% of total financial costs, followed by deadweight losses (11%), health system costs (6%) and other costs including educational and crime and justice costs (3%). In addition to imposing significant financial costs, ADHD results in suffering that leads to a significant loss of wellbeing (AU$7.59 billion in 2019). There are many gaps in the available data that, if filled, would further improve this estimate. Conclusion: There is a continued need to raise awareness of the socioeconomic burden of ADHD in Australia and to reduce the burden and lifelong impact of ADHD. There are likely substantial opportunities for targeted policy interventions to help mitigate this costly condition.L6351890522021-06-10 <br />