Caroline Huber1, Lyn Finelli2, Warren Stevens3. 1. Health Policy Value, and Innovation Practice, Precision Health Economics, Los Angeles, California. 2. Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc. Kenilworth, New Jersey. 3. Health Economics, Parexel International, Durham, North Carolina.
Abstract
Background: The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was more devastating than all previous EVD outbreaks combined; however, many estimates of its economic burden did not capture its significant social costs. This study aimed to review all currently available estimates, identify social components missed by these estimates, and generate a comprehensive cost of the 2014 EVD outbreak. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the grey (reports produced by nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations, government, or industry) and published literature to identify current estimates of the burden of the outbreak. Based on the findings of this review, we identified 6 key areas absent or underestimated from previous estimates and calculated the underestimated social costs using estimates from the literature and extrapolation. Results: Current estimates of the economic burden of the outbreak range from $2.8 to $32.6 billion in lost gross domestic product. We estimated the comprehensive economic and social burden from the 2014 EVD outbreak to be $53.19 billion (2014 USD). The most significant component, $18.8 billion, was deaths from non-Ebola causes. Conclusions: A more complete understanding of the burden of the 2014 EVD outbreak underscores the value of interventions that can mitigate or reduce the severity of future outbreaks.
Background: The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was more devastating than all previous EVD outbreaks combined; however, many estimates of its economic burden did not capture its significant social costs. This study aimed to review all currently available estimates, identify social components missed by these estimates, and generate a comprehensive cost of the 2014 EVD outbreak. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the grey (reports produced by nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations, government, or industry) and published literature to identify current estimates of the burden of the outbreak. Based on the findings of this review, we identified 6 key areas absent or underestimated from previous estimates and calculated the underestimated social costs using estimates from the literature and extrapolation. Results: Current estimates of the economic burden of the outbreak range from $2.8 to $32.6 billion in lost gross domestic product. We estimated the comprehensive economic and social burden from the 2014 EVD outbreak to be $53.19 billion (2014 USD). The most significant component, $18.8 billion, was deaths from non-Ebola causes. Conclusions: A more complete understanding of the burden of the 2014 EVD outbreak underscores the value of interventions that can mitigate or reduce the severity of future outbreaks.
Authors: Pritimoy Das; Hossain M S Sazzad; Mohammad Abdul Aleem; M Ziaur Rahman; Mahmudur Rahman; Simon J Anthony; W Ian Lipkin; Emily S Gurley; Stephen P Luby; John J Openshaw Journal: Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci Date: 2019-08-12 Impact factor: 6.237
Authors: John Billington; Isabelle Deschamps; Stanley C Erck; Julie L Gerberding; Emmanuel Hanon; Sabrina Ivol; John W Shiver; Julia A Spencer; Johan Van Hoof Journal: Health Secur Date: 2020-04-29