February 4, 2008 - Heart conditions cost $76 billion to treat in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The nation’s 10 most expensive medical conditions costs totaled an estimated $500 billion to treat in 2005, said the survey. This includes money paid for visits to doctor's offices, clinics and emergency departments, hospital stays, home health care and prescription medicines.
Estimated spending for the 10 most expensive conditions:
1. Heart conditions $76 billion
2. Trauma disorders $72 billion
3. Cancer $70 billion
4. Mental disorders, including depression $56.0 billion
5. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease $54 billion
6. High blood pressure $42 billion
7. Type 2 diabetes $34 billion
8. Osteoarthritis and other joint diseases $34 billion
9. Back problems $32 billion
10.Normal childbirth $32 billion
AHRQ, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works to enhance the quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health care in the United States. The data in this AHRQ News and Numbers summary are taken from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a detailed source of information on the health services used by Americans, the frequency with which they are used, the cost of those services and how they are paid.
For more information: www.ahrq.org
May 15, 2024 
