BCN HEALTH publishes a study highlighting the substantial productivity losses associated with brain cancer mortality in Spain

BCN HEALTH conducted a retrospective study to estimate the indirect costs of brain cancer-related premature deaths in Spain from 2013 to 2022, using the human capital approach. The analysis incorporated mortality data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute, along with age- and sex-specific employment rates and average salaries from national surveys. The study calculated years of potential labour productive life lost (YPLPLL) and applied a 3% discount rate to estimate the present value of future income losses. Sensitivity analyses were performed using discount rates of 0% and 6%, as well as alternative assumptions for retirement age, salary levels, and employment rates.

During the study period, 30,233 individuals died from brain cancer in Spain, with approximately 44% of these deaths occurring among working-age individuals. This translated into 157,396 YPLPLL and an estimated €2.78 billion in productivity losses over the decade, averaging €309 million annually—or roughly €8 per working-age individual. Sensitivity analyses yielded a range between €2.08 and €3.48 billion, underscoring the robustness of the findings. The cost per death was estimated at €103,109.

These results highlight that, despite brain cancer being a relatively rare disease, it imposes a disproportionate economic and societal burden due to its high fatality rates and concentration among individuals in their peak working years. The authors stress the importance of improving early diagnosis, advancing research into innovative therapies such as tumor vaccines and mRNA-based immunotherapies, and strengthening support for patients and caregivers. Such measures could help mitigate both the clinical and economic impact of brain cancer in Spain.

More information can be found at https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2025.2538755