Economic Impact of Asbestos in Colombia: Estimation of the Direct and Societal Costs of Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma in 2022

Asbestos exposure remains an important cause of lung cancer and mesothelioma worldwide, and the long latency of asbestos-related diseases means that health and economic consequences persist even after asbestos bans. In Colombia, the economic burden attributable to historical asbestos exposure has not been comprehensively quantified. This study estimated the economic burden attributable to asbestos exposure in Colombia in 2022 using a prevalence-based cost-of-illness framework from a societal perspective. Direct medical costs were derived from a national lung cancer cost study and updated to 2022 values. Epidemiological inputs were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. Mesothelioma was considered predominantly attributable to asbestos exposure, while lung cancer was adjusted using population-attributable fractions and an alternative 1:3 mesothelioma-to-lung-cancer ratio scenario. Indirect costs were estimated using the human capital approach, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) losses were monetized using alternative willingness-to-pay thresholds. Colombia was estimated to have 150 prevalent mesothelioma cases and between 389 and 450 asbestos-attributable lung cancer cases in 2022. Direct costs ranged from USD 6.5 to 10.7 million annually, increasing to USD 16.7–23.1 million when productivity losses were included. Expanded societal valuation scenarios ranged from USD 71 million to more than USD 180 million annually. Asbestos-related malignancies continue to impose a substantial economic burden in Colombia and support the need for strengthened surveillance, long-term management of installed asbestos, and policies aimed at reducing future asbestos-related disease burden.