S&PAA’s Societal Costs of Schizophrenia & Related Disorders study in 2021 revealed that schizophrenia costs the U.S. $281.6 billion annually, from caregiver expenses to healthcare costs to those stemming from justice system interactions. The report also found that the cost of caregiving by unpaid (e.g., family) caregivers was a staggering $104.5 billion per year.
Providing better integrated care can substantially reduce healthcare costs for those with schizophrenia. But only with comprehensive, accurate data can the U.S. develop targeted policies and ultimately a better system of care. To that end:
While our national reports are important for guiding federal policy decisions, it also is imperative to provide data tailored to specific states, because many policies that affect the lives of people with schizophrenia vary (and are funded) at state and local levels.
Rather than continuing to misallocate funds to pay for the consequences of our siloed system (such as jails and courts), we need to invest in a new and better treatment paradigm that recognizes schizophrenia as a neurological condition and addresses it accordingly. Only then can we develop and execute targeted, life-saving care.
