New Study by Inna Feldman Published in BMC Public Health
BMC Public Health has published a new study by Inna Feldman, Associate Professor at Uppsala Health Economics, titled The economic burden and costs of suicide and self-harm in Sweden.
Uppsala Health Economics Associate Professor Inna Feldman
Uppsala Health Economics Associate Professor Inna Feldman's study examines the substantial societal costs associated with suicide and self-harm in Sweden. Using national registry data and health economic methods, researchers estimate both the direct costs to healthcare and emergency services, as well as the indirect costs resulting from productivity losses.
Key Findings
- Suicide and self-harm impose a considerable economic burden on Swedish society.
- Indirect costs—primarily due to lost productivity—constitute the largest share of the total burden.
- The results highlight the significant impact on the working-age population and underscore the importance of effective prevention strategies.
Implications for Policy and Practice
The findings provide important evidence for policymakers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders seeking to reduce the human and economic consequences of suicide and self-harm. Strengthening preventive measures, improving access to mental health services, and supporting individuals and communities affected by suicide could contribute to both reduced suffering and lower societal costs.
The study can be found on BMC Public Health
Facts
Background
Suicide and self-harm represent a major public health challenge with significant human and economic consequences. Quantifying its economic burden is essential for guiding preventive strategies and resource allocation.
Methods
This study estimated the societal costs of suicide and self-harm in Sweden in 2022 using data from highquality national registries and publicly available sources. Costs encompassed direct costs (healthcare, emergency services, property damage) and indirect costs calculated using the human capital approach (productivity losses due to morbidity and premature death). Additionally, a monetary value for disability and death based on incidence data was used to monetize the burden of disease.
Results
The total annual economic burden of suicide and self-harm in Sweden was substantial, amounting to approximately €970 million. Productivity losses from paid work represented the largest cost component, accounting for 67% of total costs, highlighting the considerable impact on the working-age population. When the monetary value of premature death and disability was estimated separately using a health-based valuation approach, the total burden increased to approximately €2.7 billion. Given the conservative assumptions applied in several components of the analysis, these estimates are likely to understate the true societal burden of suicide and self-harm. Conclusions Suicide and self-harm impose a significant economic burden on Swedish society. Strengthening mental health services, workplace prevention programs, and postvention support could reduce both human suffering and societal costs. These findings provide valuable evidence to inform policymakers and stakeholders in designing costeffective prevention strategies.
Co-authors
Inna Feldman, Camilla Nystrand, Johan Bjureberg, Gergö Hadlaczky