CBS Atlanta 46Child abuse and neglect cost the United States $124 billion

Child abuse and neglect cost the United States $124 billion

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By Jennifer Banks - email
ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the total lifetime estimated financial costs associated with just one year of confirmed cases of child maltreatment is approximately $124 billion.

The new study was published in Child Abuse and Neglect, The International Journal.

This study looked at confirmed child maltreatment cases, 1,740 fatal and 579,000 non-fatal, for a 12-month period.

The lifetime cost for each victim of child maltreatment who lived was $210,012, which is comparable to other costly health conditions, such as stroke with a lifetime cost per person estimated at $159,846.

 The costs of each death due to child maltreatment are even higher, according to the study.

Child maltreatment has been shown to have many negative effects on survivors, including poorer health, social and emotional difficulties, and decreased economic productivity. 

 For more information on public health child maltreatment prevention activities and research click here.