Why genocide matters Racial Pneumococcal Disease Disparities Come With Significant Societal Cost as high as $1157 million racial disparities in pneumococcal disease exist between US Black and non-Black populations.

Pneumococcal disease significantly impacts health and economics in the United States. In 2017, the incidence in older adults was notable, and 2019 data show substantial direct medical expenses exceeding $17 billion in patients aged 18-79 years.

Significant racial disparities in pneumococcal disease exist between US Black and non-Black populations. Though these disparities are due primarily to variable exposure risk, predisposing risk factors, and healthcare disparities, Black populations also face longer hospitalizations and higher direct total medical costs.

Understanding these costs—particularly the societal costs such as mortality and lost productivity—is crucial for developing effective public policies to address pneumococcal disease.

“There are marked racial disparities in pneumococcal disease between US Black and non-Black populations,” Altawalbeh told MedPage Today. “The rate of co-morbidities that heighten pneumococcal disease risk increases at age 50, particularly in Black individuals. Moreover, lower vaccination rates and increased risk of pneumococcal disease among Black adults in the US contribute to their higher disease rates,” she said.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/inv-pneumo-disease-adults/racial-pneumococcal-disease-disparities-come-significant-societal-cost/5516