{
  "id": 13034959,
  "title": "Gesundheit: Krankheitskosten in Deutschland übersteigen halbe Billion Euro",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/gesundheit-krankheitskosten-in-deutschland-ubersteigen-halbe-billion",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-09T04:49:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/gesundheit-krankheitskosten-in-deutschland-uebersteigen-halbe-billion-euro/100260930.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In 2024, Germany's healthcare costs surpassed the half-billion-euro mark, totaling 528.5 billion euros. This represents a 7.6% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Federal Statistical Office. On a per capita basis, this translates to 6,330 euros per resident in Germany. The figures encompass expenses for medical treatments, care, prevention, and rehabilitation, but do not include indirect consequences such as work stoppages. Notably, there are significant gender disparities in healthcare spending. Women's per capita costs were 6,960 euros, 22.5% higher than men's 5,680 euros. This disparity is largely attributed to women's higher life expectancy and the larger proportion of elderly and terminally ill individuals. Additionally, expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth contribute to the overall costs. The most expensive medical conditions vary between genders, with mental and behavioral disorders like dementia causing the highest costs for women, while heart and vascular diseases dominate for men.",
  "summary": "Die Krankheitskosten sind im vergangenen Jahr um mehr als sieben Prozent gestiegen. Ein Kostentreiber ist das Lebensalter – und zwischen den Geschlechtern gibt es große Unterschiede.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}