Autism most costly medical condition in UK, report claims

Autism costs the UK an estimated £32 billion per year in treatment, lost earnings and care and support for children and adults – more than heart disease, cancer and stroke combined, according to new research. The study, led by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, has prompted health economists, families and charities to call again for increased investment in research for autism. More than 600,000 people in the UK have autism, with a quarter of those unable to talk, and 85% do not work full time.