Citation

Mirin AA, Dimmock ME, Jason LA. Fatigue 2022; 10(2): 83-93.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/21641846.2022.2062169

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, we update our earlier analyses of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) economic impact and its National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding versus disease burden, taking into account the anticipated new cases of ME/CFS resulting from COVID-19. Prior to the COVID pandemic, we estimated a United States ME/CFS prevalence of 1.5 million and an annual economic impact of $36-51 billion. Now, due to COVID and its resulting post-acute sequalae, we estimate total ME/CFS prevalence could rise to between five and nine million. This would incur an annual U.S. economic impact of $149 to $362 billion in medical expenses and lost income, exclusive of other costs, such as disability benefits, social services, and lost wages of caretakers. NIH funding for ME/CFS research would need to expand from the current amount of $15 million per year to approximately $472-$600 million annually, up to a 40-fold increase, to be commensurate with that of similarly burdensome diseases. © 2022 IACFS/ME.

Language: en

Keywords

United States; human; suicide; prevalence; cognitive defect; vaccination; health care cost; cohort analysis; social work; heart disease; income; chronic fatigue syndrome; Article; funding; economic impact; national health organization; human impact (environment); mortality rate; disease burden; Myalgic encephalomyelitis; disability-adjusted life year; coronavirus disease 2019; long COVID