title: How much does intellectual disability really cost? First estimates for Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the paucity of relevant data, this study estimates the cost of intellectual disability (ID) to families and the government in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Family costs were collected via the Client Service Receipt Inventory, recording information relating to service use and personal expense as a consequence of ID. Government expenditure on the provision of support and services was estimated using top-down costing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 109 parents participated. The cost of ID in Australia is high, especially for families. Total economic costs of ID are close to $14,720 billion annually. Opportunity cost of lost time provided 85% of family expense. A comparison of family expense and social welfare benefits received suggests that families suffer considerable loss. This may impact on families' physical and emotional wellbeing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monitoring of changes in expenditure is required. Policies should ensure that money devoted to ID is allocated in a rational, equitable, and cost-effective manner.
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Doran
authors.forename: Stewart L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Einfeld
authors.forename: Rosamond H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otim
authors.forename: Siân K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Horstead
authors.forename: Louise A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emerson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics*