Economic burdens of pediatric asthma in low and middle-income countries.

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood asthma is a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a high clinical and economic burden due to increased mortality, disability, and healthcare costs. Although numerous studies have been published assessing the economic burden of childhood asthma, most of these studies have focused on the financial burden of asthma in high-income countries.

Areas covered: This narrative review aims to identify studies that report the economic burden of childhood asthma in LMICs. We extracted the reported asthma-related costs, the type of institution where the study was conducted, the method of cost calculation, the proportion of direct costs to total costs, the leading direct cost items, and the main cost drivers, if reported, from the identified studies.

Expert opinion: This review highlights the high economic cost of childhood asthma in LMICs and provides an opportunity to rethink asthma management. Future strategies should prioritize prevention, ensure universal access to medicines, and incorporate cost assessment. A more proactive and integrated approach, combining a substantial primary care infrastructure, digital health interventions, and financial protection mechanisms, is crucial to reducing the economic burden of asthma and improving health outcomes for children in LMICs.