Child Maltreatment is a Drain on U.S. Economy

A recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention shows the impact of child maltreatment on the U.S. economy. Using data from existing research, the researchers estimate average lifetime cost per victim of nonfatal maltreatment is $210,012, $ 43,178 of which is child and adult medical costs. The total cost of child fatalities is much higher, at $1,272,900. For the year 2008, this equaled an economic burden of $124 billion on the country.

Relying on a combination of epidemiological and public policy approaches, the authors contend that these high costs reflect a need for increased public attention and effort on prevention:

“Compared with other health problems, the burden of child maltreatment is substantial, indicating the importance of prevention efforts to address the high prevalence of maltreatment.”

In addition to medical care, the costs include productivity losses, criminal justice, special education and child welfare costs (at $7,728 per case). Researchers say their estimates are conservative because not all maltreatment is reported or counted, and when data was in question, they erred on the conservative side. Applying a sensitivity analysis, which expands the potential number of maltreated children, the national yearly burden rises to $585 billion.

As the call to address child maltreatment as a public health issue grows, private providers will play a key role in helping build community systems that keep children safe and prevent maltreatment. The opportunity to reduce public health costs should be supported by government, in partnership with private providers. Writing in the Huffington Post, Robert Egger, founder of D.C. Central Kitchen argues that this year’s election politics should address the needs and concerns of nonprofits because as the third largest private employer in the U.S., they play a vital role in the U.S. economy. And as this study shows, they have the potential to lower public health costs and reduce the economic drain caused by child maltreatment.