Waterborne Illnesses Cost U.S. Healthcare System Millions Annually

Hospitalizations for three common waterborne diseases incur costs of up to $539 million annually for the United States healthcare system. Researchers presented this figure at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The economic impact is derived from hospitalizations associated with contracting these illnesses. The study didn't specify which three diseases were examined, nor what other sources may have added to their estimates. The researchers did not detail the methodology used to arrive at the aggregate cost figures.