The total lifetime estimated financial costs associated with just one year of confirmed cases of child abuse or maltreatment is approximately $124 billion, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in Child Abuse and Neglect, The International Journal.

The study found that the lifetime cost for a child who has been the victim of maltreatment is $210,012, which is comparable to other health conditions with a lifetime cost such as stroke or type 2 diabetes. For child abuse, the lifetime pricetag can include costs for child and adult medical expenses, child welfare, criminal justice, and special education. And the cost to society of lost productivity is significant.  

The study points out that child maltreatment can also be linked to many emotional, behavioral, and physical health problems such as delinquency, substance abuse, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, depression, suicide and others. Dr. Linda C. Degutis, director of CDC′s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, urges health agencies and policymakers to advance the awareness of the lifetime impact of child maltreatment and take action with the same momentum and intensity dedicated to other high profile public health problems...to save lives, protect the public′s health, and save money

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