Morbidity knocks the door of the economy: understanding the economic strain on middle-aged and older adults in Bankura district, West Bengal

Backgrounds: Non-communicable diseases are the leading global cause of death, disproportionately affecting individuals in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to assess the economic impact of NCDs in terms of out-of-pocket expenditure and its catastrophic effect on households affected by NCDs.Materials and methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among participants aged 45 years and above in the Bankura district of West Bengal. The study included 480 participants. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the socio-economic factors associated with catastrophic health expenditure among households with elderly individuals affected by NCDs.Results: The findings reveal that 69.38% of elderly participants suffer from multiple morbidities, while 23.54% have a single morbidity. The mean monthly healthcare cost per elderly individual was highest among the poorest and richest households, amounting to INR 6,430. Predicted probabilities indicate that the likelihood of incurring catastrophic health expenditure was higher among older adults aged 75 and above compared to those aged 45–54.Conclusion: An urgent need exists for the government to implement prevention strategies to reduce the economic burden of NCDs on households. To specifically address the impact of catastrophic health expenditure related to NCDs, both public and private healthcare facilities.