The Economic, Health, and Social Return on Investment in Assistive Technology: A Systematic Review

Objective: To synthesize global evidence on the return on investment (ROI) from assistive technology provision across economic, health, and social domains, demonstrating assistive technology as a strategic investment for achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review integrating data from AT scale Global Partnership economic analysis (2020), World Health Organization cost-effectiveness assessments, national program evaluations from Rwanda, Pakistan, and the Philippines, and peer-reviewed literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2010-2024). We examined ROI at individual, household, organizational, and national levels, focusing on four priority assistive products (wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, eyeglasses) in low- and middle-income countries. Economic modeling employed quality-adjusted life years, lifetime earnings projections, and macroeconomic multiplier analyses with 5% discount rate. Findings: Providing sustained access to four priority assistive products for 900 million people in need would yield USD 10 trillion in economic benefits over 55 years, representing 9:1 return on investment against USD 730 billion required investment. Economic gains include USD 4 trillion from improved educational outcomes, USD 4.5 trillion from enhanced employment and productivity, and USD 1.9 trillion from increased caregiver workforce participation. Health benefits equivalent to 1.3 billion quality-adjusted life years would accrue through improved physical and mental health, reduced secondary complications, and enhanced healthcare access. Social returns include community integration, independence, reduced caregiver burden, and gender equality advancement. Conclusion: Assistive technology represents a strategic investment with demonstrable 9:1 economic ROI and transformative health and social benefits, comparable to WHO Best Buys for noncommunicable disease prevention. Countries must integrate assistive technology within Universal Health Coverage packages and establish sustainable financing mechanisms.