Review on Economic Impact of Critical Diseases on Households

Objective: To provide new perspectives for further research on economic impact of critical diseases.Methods: A systematic search is done on English and Chinese literature on the economic impact of critical diseases on households.Results: Studies showed diversity in methodological design,including analysis of cost-of-illness,catastrophic costs,food security,multivariable modeling,and coping strategy.Relevant diseases were focused on AIDS/HIV,malaria,tuberculosis,and non-communicable diseases.Conclusion: Critical diseases have adverse impact on household economy,the key factors of which are high direct medical expenses and lost household economic productivity due to disease or death.Prospective study design and involvement of more types of diseases are recommended to improve access for target population of government poverty reduction,to provide new insights on financing and payment in medical system.