Burden of the health condition for the country
We use information about the burden of the health condition to think through the size and nature of the health condition the health intervention addresses. This information outlines the need for the health intervention, and whether a decision to adopt it would be in line with broader government priorities for health.
When considering the burden of the health condition, consider the following:
How serious is the health condition for the country?
- How many people are affected by the health condition?
- Which group, or groups, of people are most affected by the health condition? What are their demographics, including data about:
- Differences by age or sex
- Geographic differences by region or urban vs. rural setting
- Differences by socio-economic status (e.g., income or education level)
Evidence about which groups are most affected by the health condition will inform aspects related to Equity
How severe is the health condition for the people who are affected by it? For example:
- How does their illness affect their lives? How likely is it that, without intervention, the health condition will cause permanent disability, severe suffering, or death?
What are the trends with the health condition? For example:
- Is the number of people affected going up or down?
- Are new groups of people being affected? If yes, what are the demographics of this group?
Information about how many people need the intervention and how this may change over time can affect overall cost and Budget Impact.
The size and distribution of burden also relates to the capacity of the health system to meet the demand for related services that are covered.
Social Determinants of Health, Burden of the Health Condition, and Equity
The Burden of the Health Condition is a reflection of the Social Determinants of Health. Health is influenced by the environment in which people are born, grow up, live, and work. Health is shaped by exposure to polluted environments, inadequate housing, and poor sanitation, as well as powerful historical and social forces, such as income inequalities, unemployment, poverty, racial and gender discrimination, and extreme violence. Social Determinants of Health can be a useful way to understand both the underlying burden and health equity issues regarding who stands to benefit most from a new health intervention. It also underscores the limitations of any single health intervention to addressing a particular health condition, and the need for broader strategies to comprehensively address social determinants of illness and health inequalities.