Economic Burden of HPV? Prevention Cheaper Than Treatment

HPV disease is a major health challenge, but it is also a huge economic burden. A newly published report, “The Economic Burden of HPV: The Benefits of Preventing HPV Infections,” shows that investing in prevention, especially vaccination, is much cheaper than treating the diseases that result from HPV infection. We looked not only at the health costs but also at the broad benefits of preventing infection.

According to the report, annual costs related to HPV in Poland amount to around 135 million euros (578.9 million zlotys). This is a huge amount that can be significantly reduced if effective prevention programs are introduced. Although HPV infections are responsible for many diseases, including dangerous cancers, preventing them is not only a health challenge, but also a huge opportunity to reduce the financial burden on the health care system.

The HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer, which is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in women in Poland, especially those aged 15-44. Despite progress in diagnostics and treatment, cervical cancer still takes a deadly toll – in 2021, 1,361 women died from it in Poland. Worse still, Poland has one of the lowest five-year survival rates in Europe, which underlines the urgent need for preventive measures.

Cervical cancer treatment costs around PLN 28,000 per patient, and 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in Poland each year. Total expenditure on treating this cancer in 2022 reached almost PLN 92 million. In comparison, the annual cost of the cervical cancer prevention program is just over PLN 20 million. This is just one of the diseases caused by HPV – many others, such as genital warts, also generate significant costs. However, data on other HPV-related conditions is still limited, which means that the full picture of the economic consequences of infection with the virus remains incomplete.

The report, based on data from 13 countries, including Poland, shows that HPV prevention is cost-effective worldwide. The costs of treating cancers caused by HPV vary by country. For example, in China, the total cost of treating cervical cancer is as much as $7.4 billion, while in Poland it is $15.2 million. In each case, investing in vaccinations and prevention saves huge amounts of money in the long term.

In the face of the health challenges associated with HPV, Poland needs a national plan to eliminate the virus. Actions in this area are essential not only from the point of view of public health, but also economics. The plan should include monitoring the level of vaccination, developing medical infrastructure and intensifying educational activities. It is worth emphasizing that effective implementation of the HPV elimination plan can contribute to the achievement of the goals of the National Oncology Strategy, and also enable the achievement of the goal of vaccinating 60% of girls and boys by 2028.

In the context of such high treatment costs and economic burdens caused by HPV-related diseases, preventive measures become essential. In addition to direct treatment costs, we cannot forget about indirect costs, such as lost productivity or premature death. Ultimately, preventing HPV infections not only saves lives, but also allows for significant savings that can improve the quality of health care and reduce the burden on health systems.

It is therefore worth getting involved in initiatives promoting education about HPV, increasing public awareness and supporting vaccination programs. Together we can develop effective prevention that will bring health and economic benefits to the entire society.