Nutrients, Vol. 16, Pages 4302: Burden of Wasting and Stunting in Colombia and Its Economic Impact: A Society’s Perspective Analysis, 2021
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu16244302
Authors:
Darío Londoño Trujillo
Paula Andrea Taborda Restrepo
María Camila De la Hoz
Juan Carlos Burgos Castro
Joan Sebastian Arbelaez Vargas
Diana María Pineda Ruiz
Background/Objectives: Child malnutrition is a critical public health concern that significantly hampers children’s physical and mental development and imposes serious economic burdens. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that malnutrition is responsible for half of all deaths among children under five, leading to long-term consequences such as lower educational achievement, decreased productivity, and deepened poverty. This study aims to estimate the burden of child malnutrition in Colombia for children up to four years old, assessing both direct and indirect costs from a societal perspective. Methods: A Markov chain model was utilized to simulate six health states related to malnutrition, integrating direct and indirect costs. Epidemiological data and international literature informed the transition probabilities between states, while caregiver surveys were conducted to capture the indirect costs. Results: The study found that malnutrition accounted for 419.84 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 1000 inhabitants. The total cost of malnutrition over a four-year period was approximately USD 243.58 million, with an annual average of USD 60.89 million, of which 65% of the burden fell on households. Conclusions: Child malnutrition in Colombia presents a considerable burden on health systems, households, and the national economy, demonstrating the need for robust interventions to mitigate its long-term socioeconomic impact.
Background/Objectives: Child malnutrition is a critical public health concern that significantly hampers children’s physical and mental development and imposes serious economic burdens. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that malnutrition is responsible for half of all deaths among children under five, leading to long-term consequences such as lower educational achievement, decreased productivity, and deepened poverty. This study aims to estimate the burden of child malnutrition in Colombia for children up to four years old, assessing both direct and indirect costs from a societal perspective. Methods: A Markov chain model was utilized to simulate six health states related to malnutrition, integrating direct and indirect costs. Epidemiological data and international literature informed the transition probabilities between states, while caregiver surveys were conducted to capture the indirect costs. Results: The study found that malnutrition accounted for 419.84 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 1000 inhabitants. The total cost of malnutrition over a four-year period was approximately USD 243.58 million, with an annual average of USD 60.89 million, of which 65% of the burden fell on households. Conclusions: Child malnutrition in Colombia presents a considerable burden on health systems, households, and the national economy, demonstrating the need for robust interventions to mitigate its long-term socioeconomic impact. Read More