WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-P1.17.82 Lung Cancer’s Price Tag: Escalating Hospitalization Costs in Brazil Over the Past Two Decades

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This study analyzes the evolution of hospitalization costs for lung cancer (LC) in Brazil from 2000 to 2024 using data from DATASUS, the official Brazilian health information system. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death globally, and in Brazil, budget constraints within the public Unified Health System (SUS) potentially impact equitable access to care. The research adjusts costs for inflation and currency values and stratifies data by region, age, and sex.<br /><br />Findings reveal a downward trend in the average hospitalization costs for LC over two decades. However, this decrease does not indicate reduced disease incidence or mortality but likely reflects the disease’s characteristics—such as late diagnosis, high lethality, and shorter hospital stays—and the underfunding of public health services since 2016. Stratified analyses identified significant disparities based on region, age, and gender, highlighting inequalities in care.<br /><br />Cost data show gender differences in average hospitalization expenses, with female costs generally higher than male costs when adjusted for inflation. Despite fluctuations, costs do not appear to have increased proportionally with inflation or healthcare spending increases over time. The study underscores that reductions in hospitalization costs may also relate to economic constraints rather than actual improvements in patient outcomes.<br /><br />The authors conclude that Brazil’s healthcare system requires better resource allocation and restructuring, particularly focusing on vulnerable regions, to ensure more equitable and effective care for lung cancer patients. Addressing these inequalities and funding challenges is essential to improve access and outcomes for this high-mortality disease within the public health system.

Asset Subtitle

Jean Henri Maselli Schoueri

Meta Tag

Speaker Jean Henri Maselli Schoueri

Topic Global Health, Health Services, and Health Economics

Keywords

lung cancer

hospitalization costs

Brazil

DATASUS

Unified Health System (SUS)

healthcare disparities

inflation adjustment

regional differences

gender differences

public health funding