Economic Burden(cont...)

Lost Income

When ill with NCDs, most people cannot continue working and so forgo personal and household income. A study in India found that duration of illness, defined as days when people could not work, was in the range of about 50–70 days for some NCDs, or greater than from other conditions (Mahal et al. 2010) (Figure 1.8). The annual income loss from missed work, time given for care taking, and premature death are also significant (Figure 1.9).

Figure 1.8 Duration of illnessa for hospitalized surviving persons and for outpatients, India, 2004

Sources: Mahal et al. 2010; National Sample Survey Organization 2004.

a. Days when could not work.

Figure 1.9 Annual income lossa from missed work, time for care giving, and premature death among

households with a member having an NCD, India, 2004

Sources: Mahal et al. 2010; National Sample Survey Organization 2004.

a. Assumes that wages for all working and nonworking adults.