Economic Valuation of Premature COVID-19 Mortality in Kuwait: A Comparative Analysis of Three Methodological Approaches
Author(s)
Mohammad Almari1, Zia Sadique, PhD2, Stephen O'Neill, PhD3.
1Academic staff, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait, 2London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, 3London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medciine, London, United Kingdom.
1Academic staff, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait, 2London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, 3London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medciine, London, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the economic burden of premature COVID-19 mortality in Kuwait by comparing three established valuation methods, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the pandemic’s long-term effects on national well-being and economic productivity.
METHODS: A retrospective observational study examined the economic burden of premature COVID-19 deaths in Kuwait from a societal perspective (2020-2022). Mortality data were obtained from the Ministry of Health, while annual earnings and consumption costs came from the Central Statistics Bureau. The economic burden was estimated using three methods: (1) the Value of Statistical Life (VSL), which assigns a societal monetary value to each life lost, regardless of future earnings; (2) the Human Capital Approach (HCA), which calculates losses based on the discounted future earnings of deceased individuals; and (3) the Friction Cost Approach (FCA), which estimates productivity losses from an employer’s perspective until a replacement is hired. Costs are reported in international dollars (PPP$).
RESULTS: Total deaths were (n=2891), of which 46% were Kuwaiti. Kuwaiti female deaths were 53% of total Kuwaiti deaths. Non-Kuwaiti males accounted for 71% of all non-Kuwaiti deaths. The total VSL costs were 2.8 billion PPP$, with 52% of these costs accounted for Kuwaitis. The mean VSL cost per death was 0.9 million PPP$. The total cost using HCA was 569 million PPP$ with a mean cost of 173,000 PPP$ per death. HCA costs for Kuwaitis were 58% of the total HCA. According to FCA, the total cost was 33.6 million PPP$, 61% Kuwaiti costs. Mean FCA cost per death was 4740 PPP$.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal disparities in mortality and costs between Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis. Kuwaiti deaths accounted for a significant share, with females forming the majority, while non-Kuwaiti males dominated non-Kuwaiti deaths. The VSL approach showed the highest costs, while HCA and FCA approaches highlighted variations, with Kuwaitis incurring larger costs.
METHODS: A retrospective observational study examined the economic burden of premature COVID-19 deaths in Kuwait from a societal perspective (2020-2022). Mortality data were obtained from the Ministry of Health, while annual earnings and consumption costs came from the Central Statistics Bureau. The economic burden was estimated using three methods: (1) the Value of Statistical Life (VSL), which assigns a societal monetary value to each life lost, regardless of future earnings; (2) the Human Capital Approach (HCA), which calculates losses based on the discounted future earnings of deceased individuals; and (3) the Friction Cost Approach (FCA), which estimates productivity losses from an employer’s perspective until a replacement is hired. Costs are reported in international dollars (PPP$).
RESULTS: Total deaths were (n=2891), of which 46% were Kuwaiti. Kuwaiti female deaths were 53% of total Kuwaiti deaths. Non-Kuwaiti males accounted for 71% of all non-Kuwaiti deaths. The total VSL costs were 2.8 billion PPP$, with 52% of these costs accounted for Kuwaitis. The mean VSL cost per death was 0.9 million PPP$. The total cost using HCA was 569 million PPP$ with a mean cost of 173,000 PPP$ per death. HCA costs for Kuwaitis were 58% of the total HCA. According to FCA, the total cost was 33.6 million PPP$, 61% Kuwaiti costs. Mean FCA cost per death was 4740 PPP$.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal disparities in mortality and costs between Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis. Kuwaiti deaths accounted for a significant share, with females forming the majority, while non-Kuwaiti males dominated non-Kuwaiti deaths. The VSL approach showed the highest costs, while HCA and FCA approaches highlighted variations, with Kuwaitis incurring larger costs.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
MSR80
Topic
Methodological & Statistical Research
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas