Alleviating the Burden of Diabetes with Health Equity Funds: Economic Evaluation of the Health & Financial Risk Protection Benefits in Cambodia
2021
This study examines the potential distributional health and financial impacts of implementing strategies to provide financial coverage for diabetes services through Health Equity Funds (HEF) in Cambodia. Utilizing a Markov model, the trajectory of diabetes is projected over a 45-year period to estimate societal costs, health outcomes, and individual out-of-pocket expenditures associated with six HEF coverage strategies. Input parameters are derived from published literature and household survey data. Strategies covered different combinations of types of diabetes care costs, including diagnostic services, medications, and management of complications. Results indicate that coverage for medications proves cost-effective, yielding health benefits ($27 per DALY averted) and enhancing financial risk protection ($2 per case of catastrophic health expenditure averted), particularly benefiting women and the poorest individuals. Expanding eligibility for financial coverage also enhances the value of investments. The government's expenditure per diabetic patient ranges from $28 to $58, depending on coverage extent and services. Strengthening primary care facilities to support diabetes care could significantly alleviate the diabetes burden and contribute to long-term health system enhancement.
Source:
Feldhaus IM, Nagpal S, Verguet S. Alleviating the Burden of Diabetes with Health Equity Funds: Economic Evaluation of the Health and Financial Risk Protection Benefits in Cambodia. PLOS One 2021; 16 (11): e0259628. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259628