SOCIO-ECONOMIC BURDEN OF ADHD: GLOBAL INSIGHTS AND PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM HONG KONG
Author(s)
Claudia Ching Yan Chung, PhD1, Xue Li, BEc, MPhil, PhD2, Kalie Chan, MSc1, Katrin KN Law, BA1, Jasmine Yuen, /1, David Coghill, MD3, Patrick Ip, MD1.
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2Department of Medicine; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 3University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2Department of Medicine; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 3University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
OBJECTIVES: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents a significant, largely invisible socio-economic impact. Existing cost-of-illness studies predominantly reflect Western, high-income contexts, focusing heavily on paediatric healthcare system costs. As part of The Lancet Psychiatry Series on ADHD, this study establishes a global framework to evaluate the multinational socio-economic costs of ADHD across 30 countries, presenting preliminary findings from Hong Kong (HK).
METHODS: This prospective, multinational, cross-sectional online survey was developed by an expert panel of clinicians, academics, and lived-experience representatives. The instrument was cross-culturally adapted and linguistically validated via forward/backward translation. Adults with ADHD or caregivers of minors (<18yo) are recruited through patient support groups, research networks, and social media. Clinical ADHD thresholds are validated using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP-IV) scale. Resource utilisation is captured via an adapted Client Service Receipt Inventory. Total costs are estimated using prevalence-based, bottom-up approach from a societal perspective, incorporating healthcare, education, employment, accidents, community support, formal/informal caregiving, and productivity losses. Unit costs were adjusted to 2025 values.
RESULTS: Thirty countries across Asia-pacific, Africa, South America, and Europe have finalised contextualisation and initiating online survey dissemination. In HK, 236 valid responses were collected in April-June 2026; 82.6% were male, 26.7% were adults, and 44.9% had comorbidities. The annual total cost of ADHD was estimated at HK$HK$218,120 (~€24,492) per individual. Notably, direct non-healthcare and indirect costs accounted for 83% of this burden, driven primarily by informal caregiver support. Based on a conservative 2.5% prevalence in HK, the projected annual cost exceeds HK$40.9 billion (~€4.5 billion) in 2025, accounting for 1.3 % of HK’s GDP.
CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings from HK underscore a substantial socio-economic burden of ADHD, establishing it as a major public health priority rather than a mere clinical challenge. Emerging global data will enable crucial within- and cross-country comparisons to guide evidence-based resource allocation and strengthen community support worldwide.
METHODS: This prospective, multinational, cross-sectional online survey was developed by an expert panel of clinicians, academics, and lived-experience representatives. The instrument was cross-culturally adapted and linguistically validated via forward/backward translation. Adults with ADHD or caregivers of minors (<18yo) are recruited through patient support groups, research networks, and social media. Clinical ADHD thresholds are validated using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP-IV) scale. Resource utilisation is captured via an adapted Client Service Receipt Inventory. Total costs are estimated using prevalence-based, bottom-up approach from a societal perspective, incorporating healthcare, education, employment, accidents, community support, formal/informal caregiving, and productivity losses. Unit costs were adjusted to 2025 values.
RESULTS: Thirty countries across Asia-pacific, Africa, South America, and Europe have finalised contextualisation and initiating online survey dissemination. In HK, 236 valid responses were collected in April-June 2026; 82.6% were male, 26.7% were adults, and 44.9% had comorbidities. The annual total cost of ADHD was estimated at HK$HK$218,120 (~€24,492) per individual. Notably, direct non-healthcare and indirect costs accounted for 83% of this burden, driven primarily by informal caregiver support. Based on a conservative 2.5% prevalence in HK, the projected annual cost exceeds HK$40.9 billion (~€4.5 billion) in 2025, accounting for 1.3 % of HK’s GDP.
CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings from HK underscore a substantial socio-economic burden of ADHD, establishing it as a major public health priority rather than a mere clinical challenge. Emerging global data will enable crucial within- and cross-country comparisons to guide evidence-based resource allocation and strengthen community support worldwide.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EE45
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Patient-Centered Research, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
Mental Health (including addiction)