Economic burden of low muscle strength in Canadian adults.

We used a prevalence-based approach to estimate the economic costs associated with low muscle strength, as assessed using handgrip strength, in Canadian adults. We estimated the annual economic burden of low muscle strength at $3.0 billion, representing 2.2% of the 2021 Canadian burden of illness costs. The two most expensive chronic diseases attributable to low muscle strength were cardiovascular disease ($899 million) and type 2 diabetes ($880 million). A 10% decrease in the prevalence of low handgrip strength would save approximately $546 million per year, equivalent to an 18.1% cost reduction. Strategies to increase population-level muscle strength are needed to reduce health care costs and improve health.