The costs in epidemiology can be broadly categorized into direct and indirect costs.
Direct costs include expenses directly associated with disease management, such as:
- Surveillance Programs: Costs associated with setting up and maintaining surveillance systems to monitor disease incidence and prevalence.
- Laboratory Testing: Expenses for diagnostic tests, equipment, and reagents.
- Healthcare Services: Costs of treatment, hospitalization, and medical care for affected individuals.
- Vaccination Programs: Expenses for vaccine procurement, distribution, and administration.
Indirect costs encompass economic losses due to disease, including:
- Productivity Losses: Lost workdays and reduced productivity due to illness.
- Long-term Disability: Costs associated with chronic conditions resulting from infectious diseases.
- Public Health Interventions: Investments in public health campaigns, education, and preventative measures.
