Читать книгу Neurology - Charles H. Clarke - Страница 24

Ill health imposes high costs, both on the patient and family everywhere. However, in poorer countries the proportion of family income spent on health is particularly high, not least as ill health results in unemployment.

 In the United Kingdom, any chronic illness (over one year) is likely to diminish the income of a family by >50%.

Even in countries where health services are free at the point of delivery, the cost of all illness is substantial.

Neurological illnesses because of their chronic nature are particularly onerous. The impact of a disease depends upon personal wealth, the healthcare system and social networks available.