The Economic Burden of Cancers on Indian Households

Cancer affected households in India have significantly higher rates of borrowing and asset sales in order to finance medical care.

These were the findings from a recent study headed by Prof Ajay Mahal, Global Health Research Unit, who assessed the burden of cancer on households’ health related spending.  Cancer-affected households experience higher levels of outpatient visits and hospital admissions and increased out-of-pocket health expenditures equivalent to 36% to 44% of annual household expenditure.

The article appeared in PLOS ONE (Vol. 8, Issue 8, e71853).