Modelling the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Colombia

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. Between 2016 and 2035, the number of Colombian adults with CVD will increase almost by two-thirds, going from 980,000 to 1.6 million. Meanwhile, the costs of health care and lost productivity will almost triple, going from US$5 billion in 2016 to US$14 billion by 2035 . Without additional measures to mitigate the impact of population aging and modifiable risk factors, the burden of CVD in Colombia will only continue to grow. This expected increase is driven by demographic changes, mostly population growth and aging.

In Modelling the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Colombia, the authors look at the economic burden of CVD from two perspectives: the direct costs of delivering health care services and their impact on the public health care system, and the indirect costs from productivity losses, which impact the broader society and economy.