Autism Spectrum Disorder Caregiver Healthcare Resource Utilization and Economic Burden: Results From the 2024 US National Health and Wellness Survey
Author(s)
Sheila Drakeley, MPH, Jacob Matta, MPH, Kathy Annunziata, MA;
Oracle Life Science, Austin, TX, USA
Oracle Life Science, Austin, TX, USA
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: Millions of Americans are caregivers with many caring for individuals with neurological or developmental conditions. The study aimed to describe the sociodemographic profile and economic burden experienced by caregivers to those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
METHODS: Data from the 2024 US National Health and Wellness Survey, a cross-sectional, nationally representative, general population survey, were used. Participants are adults (aged ≥18 years), recruited using general population panels; using a quota sampling technique. Participants self-reported being caregivers to adults with ASD (CA) or caregivers to children with ASD (CC). Caregiver characteristics and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) were evaluated. The economic burden of HCRU will be estimated using the most recent data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and inflated to 2024 medical care costs using data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
RESULTS: 1,254 CA and 1,908 CC. 63.7% of CA were male whereas 51.4% of CC were female. Many were non-Hispanic White (CA: 62.4%; CC 58.0%). The majority were insured (CA: 85.7%; CC: 86.6%); income ≥$75,000 (CA: 61.7%; CC: 48.9%). Significantly more CA (81.6%) were employed (fulltime or part time) than CC (67.2%; p<0.001). On average, CA had more HCP visits (9.1±2.3 vs. 8.0±1.8), ER visits (2.1±0.9 vs. 1.5±0.7), and hospitalizations (2.3±1.1 vs. 1.3±0.6) in the past 6 months compared to CC. CA had more economic burden accrued from HCP visits ($3560.30± $8693.27 vs. $3082.52±$6312.38), ER visits ($3310.33±$7229.46 vs. $2427.04±$6947.44), and hospitalizations ($37797.87±$91151.30 vs. 21752.82±46867.19) compared to CC.
CONCLUSIONS: CA utilized more healthcare services and faced a higher economic burden compared to CC, suggesting CA may need additional forms of support to continue to provide adequate care. However, both CA and CC may need additional support to mitigate the financial burden due to caregiver responsibilities, as both groups faced higher HCRU and economic impact.
METHODS: Data from the 2024 US National Health and Wellness Survey, a cross-sectional, nationally representative, general population survey, were used. Participants are adults (aged ≥18 years), recruited using general population panels; using a quota sampling technique. Participants self-reported being caregivers to adults with ASD (CA) or caregivers to children with ASD (CC). Caregiver characteristics and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) were evaluated. The economic burden of HCRU will be estimated using the most recent data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and inflated to 2024 medical care costs using data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
RESULTS: 1,254 CA and 1,908 CC. 63.7% of CA were male whereas 51.4% of CC were female. Many were non-Hispanic White (CA: 62.4%; CC 58.0%). The majority were insured (CA: 85.7%; CC: 86.6%); income ≥$75,000 (CA: 61.7%; CC: 48.9%). Significantly more CA (81.6%) were employed (fulltime or part time) than CC (67.2%; p<0.001). On average, CA had more HCP visits (9.1±2.3 vs. 8.0±1.8), ER visits (2.1±0.9 vs. 1.5±0.7), and hospitalizations (2.3±1.1 vs. 1.3±0.6) in the past 6 months compared to CC. CA had more economic burden accrued from HCP visits ($3560.30± $8693.27 vs. $3082.52±$6312.38), ER visits ($3310.33±$7229.46 vs. $2427.04±$6947.44), and hospitalizations ($37797.87±$91151.30 vs. 21752.82±46867.19) compared to CC.
CONCLUSIONS: CA utilized more healthcare services and faced a higher economic burden compared to CC, suggesting CA may need additional forms of support to continue to provide adequate care. However, both CA and CC may need additional support to mitigate the financial burden due to caregiver responsibilities, as both groups faced higher HCRU and economic impact.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EE199
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
SDC: Neurological Disorders