Macroeconomic burden of tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancers in Asia

BackgroundAlthough Asia shoulders a considerable burden of tracheal, bronchial, and lung (TBL) cancers, the associated macroeconomic impact has yet to be adequately investigated.MethodsUsing 2023 data from the Global Burden of Disease Study and the World Bank, we applied the value of a statistical life year (VSLY) method to estimate the economic welfare losses attributable to TBL cancers in Asian countries. We further analyzed the temporal trends, sex and age-specific disparities, and the drivers of economic inequality and projected the burden trends to 2050.ResultsIn Asia, the value of lost welfare (VLW) due to these cancers reached USD 3.28 (95% UI, 2.6301–4.0572) trillion, equivalent to 4.18% (95% UI, 3.35–5.17) of the regional GDP. Temporal trend analyses revealed a consistent upward trajectory in both absolute VLW and its GDP share. Sex-stratified analyses showed that the burden was significantly higher in male populations, and age-specific peaks occurred at 70–74 years for both sexes. Health inequality metrics indicated a pronounced widening of relative disparities over time. Projection models forecast a continued increase in absolute VLW, whereas its proportional contribution to GDP is expected to plateau.ConclusionThese findings establish that TBL cancers impose a substantial and inequitably distributed macroeconomic burden across Asia. The pronounced sex and region-specific disparities underscore the urgent need for evidence-based, geographically targeted intervention strategies. Prioritizing the targeted deployment of resources in high-burden zones is critical to mitigating economic losses and improving survival outcomes in the region.