National and State Societal Costs of Schizophrenia in the US in 2024

Schizophrenia imposes a substantial burden on individuals and society. Population-specific cost estimates are essential to inform evidence-based policy, allocate resources, and support recovery-focused care that improves outcomes.

To estimate national and state-level burden of schizophrenia to inform population-specific care and services in the US in 2024. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was an observational prevalence-based cost-of-illness model estimating total excess direct medical, direct nonmedical, and indirect costs of schizophrenia by combining inputs from a targeted literature review and an analysis of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, adjusted to 2024 US dollars. The setting included independent households, supportive housing, long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, unhoused settings, and prisons and jails. Disease-related costs were estimated for adults living with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Exposures: Health care, supportive housing, homelessness, social security disability benefits, justice system, employment, productivity, quality of life, mortality, and caregiver impact across settings of care. Main Outcomes and Measures: Prevalence-based national and state cost of schizophrenia by category or sector.