In the identification of priority health issues, the costs of the health condition to the individual and community must be considered. Costs to the individual and community come in various forms, such as:

• expenses,
• time,
• independence, and
• connection with other issues, such as mental health issues.

High-cost disease

CVD is very expensive to treat, often involving large surgical procedures, lengthy recovery periods, loss of independence, and income, and is linked with lower self-esteem levels.

This is a disease that also has very high costs to the community. The community pays for the surgery through Medicare taxes. The company the person works for loses money as they pay for sick leave and either pay for someone to cover them or lose the work that person was contributing. There is also a cost to family and friends who might take time off work, become anxious about their relative’s health, and may be needed to be a carer for the person as they recover.

Low-cost disease

Other issues, such as: musculoskeletal issues are not as costly. Osteoarthritis though painful, does not always require people to take time off work, or have surgery. It is often treated through medications, though surgery can be needed at times (e.g. Hip replacement). It does not often cause depression in the sufferer and they do not generally require a carer or cause the same level of stress for their family members.