Lower leg ulcers affect millions of people across the UK. A new analysis by Frontier Economics, commissioned by a partnership made up of the Health Innovation East, on behalf of the Health Innovation Network, NHS England and industry partners, reveals the significant impact that leg ulcers have on the wider economy.
The new report, Economics Impact of Leg Ulcers in the UK, highlights that sickness absence related to lower leg ulcers costs between £348m and £475m in lost economic output every year. If as few as one in a thousand employed people were to leave the workforce due to a lower leg ulcer, this would add a further £108m annually. These findings underline how wounds, often seen as a purely clinical issue, are also a material contributor to economic inactivity and reduced productivity.
What we did
Frontier Economics conducted an independent economic analysis combining a rapid review of academic and clinical evidence with a bespoke impact framework. This framework identified the channels through which lower leg ulcers affect individuals, the NHS and the wider economy - from sickness absence and reduced working hours to early retirement and unemployment.
Using this approach, we quantified the economic cost of absenteeism and explored broader potential impacts where qualitative evidence exists, but data is more limited. This methodology provides a robust foundation for understanding the scale of the challenge and the opportunity for improvement.
Key findings from our analysis
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The value of each working day lost due to leg ulcers is equivalent to £146.
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Leg ulcers lead to individuals losing 4 working days.
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Absenteeism due to leg ulcers leads to over £348m lost economic output in the UK each year.
Evidence to guide national and local decisions
Frontier’s analysis brings together existing clinical evidence with economic modelling to quantify the opportunity cost of lost working time. While data currently supports strong estimates for sickness absence, qualitative evidence suggests that the wider effects - such as early retirement or reductions in contracted hours - may be even larger.
By giving leg ulcer care greater priority in national and local planning, and by supporting broader adoption of evidence-based recommendations, the UK could realise benefits for patients, the NHS and the wider economy; faster healing and improved quality of life, reduced pressure on clinical and community workforce, and fewer absences and stronger productivity across the labour market.
Read the full report, Economic Impact of Leg Ulcers in the UK
For further information please contact media@frontier-economics.com or call +44 (0) 20 7031 7000.
Author
Senior Principal
15 April 2026