Digestive diseases cost the nation billions every year and kill hundreds of thousands of Americans, according to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases data.
Here are five key statistics:
1. Each year, digestive diseases impact 60 million to 70 million Americans.
2. In 2010, such diseases led to 20.4 million ambulatory surgical procedures and 48.3 million ASC visits.
3. The United States spent $141.8 billion on digestive diseases in 2004 — $97.8 billion for direct medical costs and $44 billion on indirect costs like disability and morality.
4. In 2009, digestive diseases killed 245,921 Americans.
5. Digestive diseases led to 5.4 million diagnostic and therapeutic inpatient procedures in 2007.