[AFAIK]

Some people acquire loans, study at university, then pay back the money as they work. Going to uni involves an oppourtunity cost because you cannot be in two places at once so the total cost is tuition fees plus money not earned.

Savings and investments are oppourtunity costs because you cannot consume today what you are saving for tomorrow.

[mikema63]

We are talking about the demand for long term treatments vs vaccines and cures.

Demand is in dollars and all the dollars are in treatments. I don't see what school has to do with the discussion.

[AFAIK]

In the long term I'd value a cure over a treatment as a consumer.
In the long term I'd value a qualification that grants me access to jobs with high salaries to the oppourtunity to earn wages today.

[mikema63]

But the sick won't choose not to treat their sicknesses in order for cmpanies to find it more profitable to find a cure.