The demographic burden of urologic diseases in America.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases initiated the Urologic Diseases in America project in 2001 with the goal of quantifying the immense demographic burden of urologic diseases on the American public, in both human and financial terms. This effort was renewed in 2007 with the aim of expanding and deepening analyses of the epidemiology, costs, and quality of medical care in urology. This ongoing commitment recognizes the major public health impact of urologic conditions in the United States. A thoughtful policy response to these changes requires a thorough understanding of the health care resource use and clinical epidemiology relevant to urologic diseases in America. This article details major initial findings from the Urologic Diseases in America project with respect to the demographic impact of the most common benign, malignant, and pediatric urologic conditions.