ΠΙ. WHAT DOES ILLNESS, INJURY & DISABILITY COST THE NATION

ANNUALLY?

DIRECT COSTS: - An estimated $47 billion

Personal health care expenditures (covering direct costs of
health & medical care services) in 1968 totaled an estimated
$46, 690, 000, 000. Of this amount, $15, 655, 000, 000 represented
public expenditures and $31, 034, 000, 000 represented private

expenditures. (3)

INDIRECT COSTS:- An estimated $21 billion

A 1963 study covering institutional and noninstitutional populations estimated total productivity losses (losses in wages or earnings) caused by illness, injury and disability at $21 billion in that one year alone. (4)

In 1967, an estimated 401, 100, 000 days were lost from work because of illness or injury among the currently employed, representing a loss in wages of $8.7 billion in that one year. This does not take into account the indirect costs of lost productivity among the

institutionalized population, those not currently employed or housewives unable to keep house because of illness, injury or disability. (5)

IV. HOW MANY DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ELIGIBLE
FOR THE STATE-FEDERAL PROGRAM OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION?
The State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Program is a public service
to prepare physically or mentally handicapped persons for employment and