Americans spend more treating heart conditions and mental health disorders than any other medical conditions, according to a recent study published in the journal Health Affairs.
The study, published in the online version of the journal, provides annual estimates of national personal health spending by medical condition.
Combining data from several sources, Charles Roehrig, a vice president at the Altarum Institute in Ann Arbor, and coauthors looked at 32 selected conditions within 13 all-inclusive diagnostic categories for 1996-2005.
Circulatory system spending was highest among the diagnostic categories, accounting for 17 percent of personal health spending in 2005 and reaching $253.9 billion.
Nearly half of circulatory system spending is attributable to heart conditions, which consist primarily of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and dysrhythmias, the researchers say.
The most costly conditions were mental disorders - such as anxiety, depression, and dementia - and heart conditions.
Spending for mental health disorders reached $142.2 billion in 2005 and accounted for 9 percent of personal health spending. Spending for heart-related conditions accounted for 8 percent of personal health spending ($123 billion in 2005).
Spending growth rates were lowest for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, coronary heart disease, and stroke.