Abbott Laboratories (ABT) 10-K17 Feb 172016 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Entity Central Index Key	1,800
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 56,382,903,388
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,727,997,596
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated Statement of Earni

Consolidated Statement of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Net Sales	$ 20,853	$ 20,405	$ 20,247
Cost of products sold, excluding amortization of intangible assets	9,024	8,747	9,218
Amortization of intangible assets	550	601	555
Research and development	1,422	1,405	1,345
Selling, general and administrative	6,672	6,785	6,530
Total Operating Cost and Expenses	17,668	17,538	17,648
Operating Earnings	3,185	2,867	2,599
Interest expense	431	163	150
Interest income	(99)	(105)	(77)
Net loss on extinguishment of debt			18
Net foreign exchange (gain) loss	495	(93)	(24)
Other (income) expense, net	945	(281)	14
Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes	1,413	3,183	2,518
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations	350	577	797
Earnings from Continuing Operations	1,063	2,606	1,721
Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	321	65	563
Gain on sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	16	1,752
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes	337	1,817	563
Net Earnings	$ 1,400	$ 4,423	$ 2,284
Basic Earnings Per Common Share --
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 1.73	$ 1.13
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)	0.23	1.21	0.37
Net Earnings (in dollars per share)	0.94	2.94	1.50
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share --
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	0.71	1.72	1.12
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)	0.23	1.20	0.37
Net Earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 0.94	$ 2.92	$ 1.49
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share (in shares)	1,477	1,496	1,516
Dilutive Common Stock Options (in shares)	6	10	11
Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options (in shares)	1,483	1,506	1,527
Outstanding Common Stock Options Having No Dilutive Effect (in shares)	5	1	1

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net Earnings (Loss)	$ 798	$ 767	$ 1,400	$ 4,423	$ 2,284
Foreign currency translation (loss) adjustments			(130)	(2,013)	(2,206)
Net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service cost and credits and amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits, net of taxes of $(125) in 2016, $101 in 2015 and $(459) in 2014			(326)	252	(917)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, net of taxes of $(28) in 2016, $104 in 2015 and $(7) in 2014			(134)	64	(12)
Net (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $(4) in 2016, $(9) in 2015 and $24 in 2014			(15)	(35)	94
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income			(605)	(1,732)	(3,041)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)			795	2,691	(757)
Supplemental Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Information, net of tax as of December 31:
Cumulative foreign currency translation (loss) adjustments	(4,959)	(4,829)	(4,959)	(4,829)	(2,924)
Net actuarial (losses) and prior service (cost) and credits	(2,284)	(1,958)	(2,284)	(1,958)	(2,229)
Cumulative unrealized (losses) gains on marketable equity securities	(69)	65	(69)	65	1
Cumulative gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges	$ 49	$ 64	$ 49	$ 64	$ 99

Consolidated Statement of Comp4

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service cost and credits and amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits, taxes	$ (125)	$ 101	$ (459)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, taxes	(28)	104	(7)
Net (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, taxes	$ (4)	$ (9)	$ 24

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flow From (Used in) Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$ 1,400	$ 4,423	$ 2,284
Adjustments to reconcile earnings to net cash from operating activities -
Depreciation	803	871	918
Amortization of intangible assets	550	601	630
Share-based compensation	310	292	246
Impact of currency devaluation	480
Investing and financing (gains) losses, net	86	(18)	69
Amortization of bridge financing fees	165
Net loss on extinguishment of debt			18
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	(25)	(2,840)
Mylan N.V. equity investment adjustment	947
Gain on sale of Mylan N.V. shares		(207)
Trade receivables	(177)	(171)	(195)
Inventories	(98)	(257)	(297)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	113	57	30
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities	(652)	(742)	(225)
Income taxes	(699)	957	197
Net Cash From Operating Activities	3,203	2,966	3,675
Cash Flow From (Used in) Investing Activities:
Acquisitions of property and equipment	(1,121)	(1,110)	(1,077)
Acquisitions of businesses and technologies, net of cash acquired	(80)	(235)	(3,317)
Proceeds from business dispositions	25	230	5
Proceeds from the sale of Mylan N.V. shares		2,290
Purchases of investment securities	(2,823)	(4,933)	(1,507)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities	3,709	4,112	5,624
Other	42	52	70
Net Cash From (Used in) Investing Activities	(248)	406	(202)
Cash Flow From (Used in) Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of (repayments of) short-term debt and other	(1,767)	(1,281)	1,343
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and debt with maturities over 3 months	14,934	2,485
Repayments of long-term debt and debt with maturities over 3 months	(12)	(57)	(577)
Payment of bridge financing fees	(170)
Acquisition and contingent consideration payments related to business acquisitions	(25)	(17)	(400)
Purchases of common shares	(522)	(2,237)	(2,195)
Proceeds from stock options exercised, including income tax benefit	248	314	429
Dividends paid	(1,539)	(1,443)	(1,342)
Net Cash From (Used in) Financing Activities	11,147	(2,236)	(2,742)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(483)	(198)	(143)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,619	938	588
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	5,001	4,063	3,475
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	18,620	5,001	4,063
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Income taxes paid	620	631	448
Interest paid	$ 181	$ 166	$ 146

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 18,620	$ 5,001
Investments, primarily bank time deposits and U.S. treasury bills	155	1,124
Trade receivables, less allowances of - 2016: $250; 2015: $337	3,248	3,418
Inventories:
Finished products	1,624	1,744
Work in process	294	316
Materials	516	539
Total inventories	2,434	2,599
Other prepaid expenses and receivables	1,806	1,908
Current assets held for disposition	513	105
Total Current Assets	26,776	14,155
Long-term Investments	2,947	4,041
Property and Equipment, at Cost:
Land	408	432
Buildings	2,602	2,769
Equipment	8,394	8,254
Construction in progress	962	928
Property and Equipment, at cost	12,366	12,383
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	6,661	6,653
Net Property and Equipment	5,705	5,730
Intangible Assets, net of amortization	4,539	5,562
Goodwill	7,683	9,638
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets	2,263	2,119
Non-current Assets Held for Disposition	2,753	2
Total Assets	52,666	41,247
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	1,322	3,127
Trade accounts payable	1,178	1,081
Salaries, wages and commissions	752	746
Other accrued liabilities	2,581	3,043
Dividends payable	391	383
Income taxes payable	188	430
Current portion of long-term debt	3	3
Current liabilities held for disposition	245	373
Total Current Liabilities	6,660	9,186
Long-term Debt	20,681	5,871
Post-employment Obligations and other long-term liabilities	4,549	4,864
Non-current liabilities held for disposition	59
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Investment:
Preferred shares, one dollar par value Authorized - 1,000,000 shares, none issued
Common shares, without par value Authorized - 2,400,000,000 shares Issued at stated capital amount - Shares: 2016: 1,707,475,455; 2015: 1,702,017,390	13,027	12,734
Common shares held in treasury, at cost - Shares: 2016: 234,606,250; 2015: 229,352,338	(10,791)	(10,622)
Earnings employed in the business	25,565	25,757
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,263)	(6,658)
Total Abbott Shareholders' Investment	20,538	21,211
Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries	179	115
Total Shareholders' Investment	20,717	21,326
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment	$ 52,666	$ 41,247

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Trade receivables, allowances (in dollars)	$ 250	$ 337
Preferred shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred shares, Authorized shares	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred shares, issued shares	0	0
Common shares, Authorized shares	2,400,000,000	2,400,000,000
Common shares, Issued shares	1,707,475,455	1,702,017,390
Common shares held in treasury, shares	234,606,250	229,352,338

Consolidated Statement of Share

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year		$ 21,326			$ 21,326
Net earnings	$ 798	316	$ 767	$ 2,292	1,400	$ 4,423	$ 2,284
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(605)	(1,732)	(3,041)
End of Year	20,717		21,326		20,717	21,326
Common Shares:
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year		12,734		12,383	12,734	12,383	12,048
Issued under incentive stock programs					222	289	404
Share-based compensation					311	292	245
Issuance of restricted stock awards					(240)	(230)	(314)
End of Year	13,027		12,734		13,027	12,734	12,383
Common Shares Held in Treasury:
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year		(10,622)		(8,678)	(10,622)	(8,678)	(6,844)
Issued under incentive stock programs					250	250	283
Purchased					(419)	(2,194)	(2,117)
End of Year	(10,791)		(10,622)		(10,791)	(10,622)	(8,678)
Earnings Employed in the Business:
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year		25,757		22,874	25,757	22,874	21,979
Net earnings					1,400	4,423	2,284
Cash dividends declared on common shares (per share - 2016: $1.045; 2015: $0.98; 2014: $0.90)					(1,547)	(1,464)	(1,363)
Effect of common and treasury share transactions					(45)	(76)	(26)
End of Year	25,565		25,757		25,565	25,757	22,874
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year		(6,658)		(5,053)	(6,658)	(5,053)	(2,012)
Business dispositions / separation						127
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(605)	(1,732)	(3,041)
End of Year	(7,263)		(6,658)		(7,263)	(6,658)	(5,053)
Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries:
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year		$ 115		$ 113	115	113	96
Noncontrolling Interests' share of income, business combinations, net of distributions and share repurchases					64	2	17
End of Year	$ 179		$ 115		$ 179	$ 115	$ 113

Consolidated Statement of Shar9

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common Shares:
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year (in shares)	1,702,017,390	1,694,929,949	1,685,827,096
Issued under incentive stock programs (in shares)	5,458,065	7,087,441	9,102,853
End of Year (in shares)	1,707,475,455	1,702,017,390	1,694,929,949
Common Shares Held in Treasury:
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Beginning of Year (in shares)	229,352,338	186,894,515	137,728,810
Issued under incentive stock programs (in shares)	5,398,469	5,381,586	5,818,599
Purchased (in shares)	10,652,381	47,839,409	54,984,304
End of Year (in shares)	234,606,250	229,352,338	186,894,515
Earnings Employed in the Business:
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment
Cash dividends declared on common shares (in dollars per share)	$ 1.045	$ 0.98	$ 0.90

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies NATURE OF BUSINESS — Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products. CHANGES IN PRESENTATION — In September 2016, Abbott announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell Abbott Medical Optics (AMO), its vision care business, to Johnson & Johnson. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The operating results of AMO are reported as part of continuing operations as AMO does not qualify for reporting as a discontinued operation. The assets and liabilities of AMO are reported as held for disposition in Abbott's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016. On February 27, 2015, Abbott completed the sale of its developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business to Mylan Inc. (Mylan) for equity ownership of a newly formed entity that combined Mylan's existing business and Abbott's developed markets pharmaceuticals business. On February 10, 2015, Abbott completed the sale of its animal health business to Zoetis Inc. The historical operating results of these two businesses up to the date of sale are excluded from Earnings from Continuing Operations and are presented on the Earnings from Discontinued Operations line in Abbott's Consolidated Statement of Earnings. The cash flows of these businesses are included in Abbott's Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows up to the date of disposition. See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations for additional information. BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions. USE OF ESTIMATES — The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions by management. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Significant estimates include amounts for sales rebates; income taxes; pension and other post-employment benefits, including certain asset values that are based on significant unobservable inputs; valuation of intangible assets; litigation; derivative financial instruments; and inventory and accounts receivable exposures. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — The statements of earnings of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates for the period. The net assets of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. The U.S. dollar effects that arise from translating the net assets of these subsidiaries at changing rates are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account, which is included in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction gains and losses are recorded on the Net foreign exchange (gain) loss line of the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. REVENUE RECOGNITION — Revenue from product sales is recognized upon passage of title and risk of loss to customers. Provisions for discounts, rebates and sales incentives to customers, and returns and other adjustments are provided for in the period the related sales are recorded. Sales incentives to customers are not material. Historical data is readily available and reliable, and is used for estimating the amount of the reduction in gross sales. Revenue from the launch of a new product, from an improved version of an existing product, or for shipments in excess of a customer's normal requirements are recorded when the conditions noted above are met. In those situations, management records a returns reserve for such revenue, if necessary. In certain of Abbott's businesses, primarily within diagnostics and medical optics, Abbott participates in selling arrangements that include multiple deliverables (e.g., instruments, reagents, procedures, and service agreements). Under these arrangements, Abbott recognizes revenue upon delivery of the product or performance of the service and allocates the revenue based on the relative selling price of each deliverable, which is based primarily on vendor specific objective evidence. Sales of product rights for marketable products are recorded as revenue upon disposition of the rights. Revenue from license of product rights, or for performance of research or selling activities, is recorded over the periods earned. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which provides a single comprehensive model for accounting for revenue from contracts with customers and will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard becomes effective for Abbott in the first quarter of 2018. Abbott is continuing to evaluate the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures including the areas of variable consideration and new disclosure requirements. Abbott will continue to monitor additional modifications, clarifications or interpretations undertaken by the FASB that may impact Abbott's current conclusions. Abbott is currently expecting to use the modified retrospective method to adopt this standard. INCOME TAXES — Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements at the enacted statutory rate to be in effect when the taxes are paid. U.S. income taxes are provided on those earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are intended to be remitted to the parent company. Deferred income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries. Interest and penalties on income tax obligations are included in taxes on income. EARNINGS PER SHARE — Unvested restricted stock units and awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are treated as participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are allocated between common shares and participating securities. Earnings from Continuing Operations allocated to common shares in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1.057 billion, $2.595 billion and $1.713 billion, respectively. Net earnings allocated to common shares in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1.393 billion, $4.403 billion and $2.273 billion, respectively. PENSION AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS — Abbott accrues for the actuarially determined cost of pension and post-employment benefits over the service attribution periods of the employees. Abbott must develop long-term assumptions, the most significant of which are the health care cost trend rates, discount rates and the expected return on plan assets. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual return are amortized over a five-year period. Actuarial losses and gains are amortized over the remaining service attribution periods of the employees under the corridor method. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — For assets and liabilities that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs are valued by reference to similar assets or liabilities, adjusted for contract restrictions and other terms specific to that asset or liability. For these items, a significant portion of fair value is derived by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets. For all remaining assets and liabilities, fair value is derived using a fair value model, such as a discounted cash flow model or Black-Scholes model. Purchased intangible assets are recorded at fair value. The fair value of significant purchased intangible assets is based on independent appraisals. Abbott uses a discounted cash flow model to value intangible assets. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash flows, risk, the cost of capital, terminal values and market participants. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on a quarterly basis. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION — The fair value of stock options and restricted stock awards and units are amortized over their requisite service period, which could be shorter than the vesting period if an employee is retirement eligible, with a charge to compensation expense. LITIGATION — Abbott accounts for litigation losses in accordance with FASB ASC No. 450, "Contingencies." Under ASC No. 450, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. Legal fees are recorded as incurred. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS — Cash equivalents consist of bank time deposits, U.S. government securities money market funds and U.S. treasury bills with original maturities of three months or less. An investment in a publicly traded company, with a carrying value of approximately $58 million, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. All other investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with any unrealized holding gains or losses, net of tax, included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Investments in equity securities that are not traded on public stock exchanges are recorded at cost. Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity, as management has both the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity, and are reported at cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount. Income relating to these securities is reported as interest income. Abbott reviews the carrying value of investments each quarter to determine whether an other than temporary decline in fair value exists. Abbott considers factors affecting the investee, factors affecting the industry the investee operates in and general equity market trends. Abbott considers the length of time an investment's fair value has been below carrying value and the near-term prospects for recovery to carrying value. When Abbott determines that an other than temporary decline has occurred, the investment is written down with a charge to Other (income) expense, net. TRADE RECEIVABLE VALUATIONS — Accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance against gross trade receivables reflects the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information. Accounts receivable are charged off after all reasonable means to collect the full amount (including litigation, where appropriate) have been exhausted. INVENTORIES — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. Cost includes material and conversion costs. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT — Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The following table shows estimated useful lives of property and equipment: Classification Estimated Useful Lives Buildings 10 to 50 years (average 27 years) Equipment 3 to 20 years (average 11 years) PRODUCT LIABILITY — Abbott accrues for product liability claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing information. The liabilities are adjusted quarterly as additional information becomes available. Receivables for insurance recoveries for product liability claims are recorded as assets, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a recovery will be realized. Product liability losses are self-insured. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS — Internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Clinical trial costs incurred by third parties are expensed as the contracted work is performed. Where contingent milestone payments are due to third parties under research and development arrangements, the milestone payment obligations are expensed when the milestone results are achieved. ACQUIRED IN-PROCESS AND COLLABORATIONS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (IPR&D) — The initial costs of rights to IPR&D projects obtained in an asset acquisition are expensed as IPR&D unless the project has an alternative future use. These costs include initial payments incurred prior to regulatory approval in connection with research and development collaboration agreements that provide rights to develop, manufacture, market and/or sell pharmaceutical products. The fair value of IPR&D projects acquired in a business combination are capitalized and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets until completed and are then amortized over the remaining useful life. Collaborations are not significant. CONCENTRATION OF RISK AND GUARANTEES — Due to the nature of its operations, Abbott is not subject to significant concentration risks relating to customers, products or geographic locations. Governmental accounts in Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal accounted for 6 percent and 7 percent of total net trade receivables as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Product warranties are not significant. Abbott has no material exposures to off-balance sheet arrangements; no special purpose entities; nor activities that include non-exchange-traded contracts accounted for at fair value. Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies, which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
Discontinued Operations	Dec. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operations	Note 2 — Discontinued Operations On February 27, 2015, Abbott completed the sale of its developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business to Mylan Inc. (Mylan) for 110 million shares (or approximately 22%) of a newly formed entity (Mylan N.V.) that combined Mylan's existing business and Abbott's developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business. Mylan N.V. is publicly traded. Historically, this business was included in Abbott's Established Pharmaceutical Products segment. Abbott retained its branded generics pharmaceuticals business in emerging markets. At the date of closing, the 110 million Mylan N.V. shares that Abbott received were valued at $5.77 billion and Abbott recorded an after-tax gain on the sale of the business of approximately $1.6 billion. The shareholder agreement with Mylan N.V. includes voting and other restrictions that prevent Abbott from exercising significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Mylan N.V. At the close of this transaction Abbott and Mylan entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which Abbott and Mylan are providing various back office support services to each other on an interim transitional basis. Transition services may be provided for up to 2 years with certain services having been extended for an additional five to ten months. Charges by Abbott under this transition services agreement are recorded as a reduction of the costs to provide the respective service in the applicable expense category in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. This transition support does not constitute significant continuing involvement in Mylan's operations. Abbott also entered into manufacturing supply agreements with Mylan related to certain products, with the supply term ranging from 3 to 10 years and requiring a 2 year notice prior to termination. The cash flows associated with these transition services and manufacturing supply agreements are not expected to be significant, and therefore, these cash flows are not direct cash flows of the disposed component under Accounting Standards Codification 205. In April 2015, Abbott sold 40.25 million of the 110 million ordinary shares of Mylan N.V. received in the sale of the developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business to Mylan. Abbott recorded a pretax gain of $207 million on $2.29 billion in net proceeds from the sale of these shares. The gain is recognized in the Other (income) expense line of the 2015 Consolidated Statement of Earnings. As a result of this sale, Abbott's ownership interest in Mylan N.V. decreased to approximately 14%. On February 10, 2015, Abbott completed the sale of its animal health business to Zoetis Inc. Abbott received cash proceeds of $230 million and reported an after tax gain on the sale of approximately $130 million. In the first quarter of 2016, Abbott received an additional $25 million of proceeds due to the expiration of a holdback agreement associated with the sale of this business and reported an after-tax gain of $16 million. As a result of the disposition of the above businesses, the operating results of these businesses up to the date of sale are reported as part of discontinued operations on the Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes line in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Discontinued operations include an allocation of interest expense assuming a uniform ratio of consolidated debt to equity for all of Abbott's historical operations. On January 1, 2013, Abbott completed the separation of AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie), which was formed to hold Abbott's research-based proprietary pharmaceuticals business. For a small portion of AbbVie's operations, the legal transfer of AbbVie's assets (net of liabilities) did not occur with the separation of AbbVie on January 1, 2013 due to the time required to transfer marketing authorizations and other regulatory requirements in each of these countries. Under the terms of the separation agreement with Abbott, AbbVie is subject to the risks and entitled to the benefits generated by these operations and assets. The majority of these operations were transferred to AbbVie in 2013 and 2014. These assets and liabilities were presented as held for disposition in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. Abbott has retained all liabilities for all U.S. federal and foreign income taxes on income prior to the separation, as well as certain non-income taxes attributable to AbbVie's business. AbbVie generally will be liable for all other taxes attributable to its business. The operating results of Abbott's developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses as well as the income tax benefit related to the businesses transferred to AbbVie, which are being reported as discontinued operations are as follows: Year Ended December 31 (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 Net Sales Developed markets generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses $ — $ $ AbbVie — — — Total $ — $ $ Earnings (Loss) Before Tax Developed markets generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses $ ) $ $ AbbVie — — — Total $ ) $ $ Net Earnings Developed markets generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses $ $ $ AbbVie Total $ $ $ The net earnings of discontinued operations include income tax benefits of $325 million in 2016, $52 million in 2015 and $58 million in 2014. 2016 includes $318 million of tax benefits as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to AbbVie's operations for years prior to the separation. 2015 includes $48 million of tax benefits related to the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years. 2014 includes $166 million of tax benefits as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to AbbVie's operations for years prior to the separation. The sale of the developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals and animal health business in 2015 resulted in the recognition of a pretax gain of $2.840 billion, tax expense of $1.088 billion and an after tax gain of $1.752 billion. The 2015 tax provision included $667 million of tax expense on certain prior year funds earned outside the U.S. related to the developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals businesses that were not designated as permanently reinvested overseas.

Assets and Liabilities Held for

Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition	12 Months Ended
Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition
Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition	Note 3 — Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition In September 2016, Abbott announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell AMO, its vision care business, to Johnson & Johnson for $4.325 billion in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments for cash, debt and working capital. The decision to sell AMO reflects Abbott's proactive shaping of its portfolio in line with its strategic priorities. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The operating results of AMO are included in continuing operations as they do not qualify for reporting as discontinued operations. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, AMO's earnings before taxes were $30 million and $64 million, respectively. As a result of the pending sale of AMO, the assets and liabilities of this business meet the criteria to qualify as being held for disposition at December 31, 2016. The assets and liabilities held for disposition as of December 31, 2016 relate to AMO and the assets and liabilities held for disposition as of December 31, 2015 relate to the AbbVie business. The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities held for disposition: (in millions) December 31, December 31, Trade receivables, net $ $ Total inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Current assets held for disposition Net property and equipment Intangible assets, net of amortization — Goodwill — Deferred income taxes and other assets Non-current assets held for disposition Total assets held for disposition $ $ Trade accounts payable $ $ Salaries, wages, commissions and other accrued liabilities Current liabilities held for disposition Post-employment obligations, deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities — Total liabilities held for disposition $ $

Supplemental Financial Informat

Supplemental Financial Information	12 Months Ended
Supplemental Financial Information	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Financial Information
Supplemental Financial Information	Note 4 — Supplemental Financial Information Other (income) expense, net, for 2016 includes expense of $947 million to adjust Abbott's holding of Mylan N.V. ordinary shares due to a decline in the fair value of the securities which is considered by Abbott to be other than temporary. Other (income) expense, net, for 2015 primarily relates to a $207 million gain on the sale of a portion of Abbott's position in Mylan N.V. stock and $79 million of income resulting from a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration related to a business acquisition. In April 2015, Abbott sold 40.25 million of the 110 million ordinary shares of Mylan N.V. received in the sale of the developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business to Mylan. Abbott received $2.29 billion in net proceeds from the sale of these shares. As a result of this sale, Abbott's ownership interest in Mylan N.V. decreased from approximately 22% to approximately 14%. Other (income) expense, net, for 2014 primarily relates to impairment charges related to non-publically traded equity securities partially offset by gains from the sales of equity securities. The loss on the extinguishment of debt of $18 million in 2014 relates to the early redemption of approximately $500 million of long-term notes. The detail of various balance sheet components is as follows: 2016 2015 (in millions) Long-term Investments: Equity securities $ $ Other Total $ $ The long-term investments in equity securities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 include 69.7 million of ordinary shares of Mylan N.V. with a carrying value of $2.661 billion and $3.771 billion, respectively. 2016 2015 (in millions) Other Accrued Liabilities: Accrued rebates payable to government agencies $ $ Accrued other rebates (a) All other Total $ $ (a) Accrued wholesaler chargeback rebates of $214 million and $170 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are netted in trade receivables because Abbott's customers are invoiced at a higher catalog price but only remit to Abbott their contract price for the products. 2016 2015 (in millions) Post-employment Obligations and Other Long-term Liabilities: Defined benefit pension plans and post-employment medical and dental plans for significant plans $ $ Deferred income taxes All other (b) Total $ $ (b) 2016 includes approximately $560 million of net unrecognized tax benefits, as well as approximately $130 million of acquisition consideration payable. 2015 includes approximately $600 million of net unrecognized tax benefits as well as approximately $148 million of acquisition consideration payable. Since January 2010, Venezuela has been designated as a highly inflationary economy under U.S. GAAP. In 2014 and 2015, the government of Venezuela operated multiple mechanisms to exchange bolivars into U.S. dollars. These mechanisms included the CENCOEX, SICAD, and SIMADI rates, which stood at 6.3, 13.5, and approximately 200, respectively, at December 31, 2015. In 2015, Abbott continued to use the CENCOEX rate of 6.3 Venezuelan bolivars to the U.S. dollar to report the results, financial position, and cash flows related to its operations in Venezuela since Abbott continued to qualify for this exchange rate to pay for the import of various products into Venezuela. On February 17, 2016, the Venezuelan government announced that the three-tier exchange rate system would be reduced to two rates renamed the DIPRO and DICOM rates. The DIPRO rate is the official rate for food and medicine imports and was adjusted from 6.3 to 10 bolivars per U.S. dollar. The DICOM rate is a floating market rate published daily by the Venezuelan central bank, which at the end of the first quarter of 2016 was approximately 263 bolivars per U.S. dollar. As a result of decreasing government approvals to convert bolivars to U.S. dollars to pay for intercompany accounts, as well as the accelerating deterioration of economic conditions in the country, Abbott concluded that it was appropriate to move to the DICOM rate at the end of the first quarter of 2016. As a result, Abbott recorded a foreign currency exchange loss of $480 million in 2016 to revalue its net monetary assets in Venezuela. Abbott is continuing to use the DICOM rate to report the results of operations and to remeasure net monetary assets for Venezuela at the end of each quarter. As of December 31, 2016, Abbott's Venezuelan operations represented approximately 0.1% of Abbott's consolidated assets and any additional foreign currency losses related to Venezuela are not expected to be material.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Note 5 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income The components of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes, are as follows: ( in millions ) Cumulative Net Cumulative Cumulative Total Balance at December 31, 2014 $ ) $ ) $ $ $ ) Impact of business dispositions — — Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications ) ) (Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — ) ) ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) ) ) ) Balance at December 31, 2015 ) ) ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications ) ) ) ) (Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) ) ) ) ) ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ ) $ ) $ ) $ $ ) (a) Reclassified amounts for foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings as Net Foreign exchange loss (gain); gains (losses) on marketable equity securities are recorded as Other (income) expense and gains/losses related to cash flow hedges are recorded as Cost of product sold. Net actuarial losses and prior service cost is included as a component of net periodic benefit plan cost — see Note 13 for additional information.

Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
Business Acquisitions	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisitions
Business Acquisitions	Note 6 — Business Acquisitions On January 4, 2017, Abbott completed the acquisition of St. Jude Medical, Inc. (St. Jude Medical), a global medical device manufacturer, for approximately $23.6 billion, including approximately $13.6 billion in cash and approximately $10 billion in Abbott common shares, which represented approximately 254 million shares of Abbott common stock, based on Abbott's closing stock price on the acquisition date. As part of the acquisition, approximately $5.8 billion of St. Jude Medical's debt was assumed or refinanced by Abbott. The transaction provides expanded opportunities for future growth and is an important part of the company's ongoing effort to develop a strong, diverse portfolio of devices, diagnostics, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The combined company will compete in nearly every area of the cardiovascular market, as well as in the neuromodulation market. As the acquisition of St. Jude Medical was completed after December 31, 2016, Abbott's consolidated financial statements do not include the financial condition or the operating results of St. Jude Medical in any of the periods presented herein. Under the terms of the agreement, for each St. Jude Medical common share, St. Jude Medical shareholders received $46.75 in cash and 0.8708 of an Abbott common share. At an Abbott stock price of $39.36, which reflects the closing price on January 4, 2017, this represented a value of approximately $81 per St. Jude Medical common share and total purchase consideration of $23.6 billion. The cash portion of the acquisition was funded through a combination of medium and long-term debt issued in November of 2016 and a $2.0 billion 120-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility. See Note 10 — Debt and Lines of Credit for further details regarding these financing arrangements. The preliminary allocation of the fair value of the St. Jude Medical acquisition is shown in the table below. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed and differences between the preliminary and final allocation could be material. (in billions) Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible $ Goodwill, non-deductible Acquired net tangible assets Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition ) Net debt ) Total preliminary allocation of fair value $ If the acquisition of St. Jude Medical had occurred at the beginning of 2016, unaudited pro forma consolidated net sales would have been approximately $26.8 billion and unaudited pro forma consolidated net earnings would have been $157 million, which includes the amortization of approximately $700 million of inventory step-up. The unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that would have been realized had the St. Jude Medical acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2016, nor is it meant to be indicative of future results of operations that the combined entity will experience. In 2016, Abbott and St. Jude Medical agreed to sell certain products to Terumo Corporation for approximately $1.12 billion. The sale includes the St. Jude Medical Angio-Seal™ and Femoseal™ vascular closure products and Abbott's Vado® Steerable Sheath. The sale closed on January 20, 2017. On January 30, 2016, Abbott entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Alere Inc., a diagnostic device and service provider, for $56.00 per common share in cash. The acquisition is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the accuracy of Alere's representations and warranties (subject to certain materiality qualifications), compliance in all material respects with Alere's covenants and receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. Due to a number of adverse developments that have occurred with respect to Alere since the date of the agreement, Abbott has filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking to terminate the acquisition agreement on the basis that Alere has experienced a "material adverse effect" under the acquisition agreement and has materially breached certain of its covenants. In August 2015, Abbott completed the acquisition of the equity of Tendyne Holdings, Inc. (Tendyne) that Abbott did not already own for approximately $225 million in cash plus additional payments up to $150 million to be made upon completion of certain regulatory milestones. The acquisition of Tendyne, which is focused on developing minimally invasive mitral valve replacement therapies, allows Abbott to broaden its foundation in the treatment of mitral valve disease. The final allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of approximately $220 million, which is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, non-deductible goodwill of approximately $142 million, deferred tax assets and other net assets of approximately $18 million, deferred tax liabilities of approximately $85 million, and contingent consideration of approximately $70 million. The goodwill is identifiable to the Vascular Products segment. In September 2014, Abbott completed the acquisition of the controlling interest in CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A. (CFR) for approximately $2.9 billion in cash ($2.8 billion net of CFR cash on hand at closing). Including the assumption of approximately $570 million of debt, the total cost of the acquisition was $3.4 billion. The acquisition of CFR more than doubles Abbott's branded generics pharmaceutical presence in Latin America and further expands its presence in emerging markets. CFR's financial results are included in Abbott's financial statements beginning on September 26, 2014, the date that Abbott acquired control of this business. Abbott currently owns 100% of CFR. The fair value of the non-controlling interest at the acquisition date was approximately $3 million. The acquisition was funded with cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The final allocation of the fair value of the acquisition is shown in the table below. (in billions) Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible $ Goodwill, non-deductible Acquired net tangible assets Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition ) Total final allocation of fair value $ Acquired intangible assets consist primarily of product rights for currently marketed products and are amortized over 12 to 16 years (weighted average of 15 years). The goodwill is primarily attributable to intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill is identifiable to the Established Pharmaceutical Products segment. The acquired tangible assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents of approximately $94 million, trade accounts receivable of approximately $180 million, inventory of approximately $169 million, other current assets of approximately $51 million, property and equipment of approximately $210 million, and other long-term assets of approximately $145 million. Assumed liabilities consist of borrowings of approximately $570 million, trade accounts payable and other current liabilities of approximately $240 million and other non-current liabilities of approximately $14 million. Net sales for CFR Pharmaceuticals totaled approximately $750 million in 2015. In December 2014, Abbott acquired control of Veropharm, a leading Russian pharmaceutical company for approximately $315 million excluding assumed debt, plus a subsequent $5 million payment related to a working capital adjustment. Through this acquisition, Abbott establishes a manufacturing footprint in Russia and obtains a portfolio of medicines that is well aligned with Abbott's current pharmaceutical therapeutic areas of focus. Abbott acquired control of Veropharm through its purchase of Limited Liability Company Garden Hills, the holding company that owns approximately 98 percent of Veropharm. Including the assumption of approximately $90 million of debt and a non-controlling interest with a fair value of $5 million, the total value of the acquired business was approximately $415 million. The final allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in definite-lived non-deductible intangible assets of approximately $100 million, non-deductible goodwill of approximately $140 million, and net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $25 million. Non-deductible goodwill is identifiable with the Established Pharmaceutical Products segment. Additionally, Abbott acquired property, plant, and equipment of approximately $150 million, accounts receivable of approximately $45 million, inventory of approximately $25 million, and net other liabilities of approximately $20 million. Acquired intangible assets consist of developed technology and are being amortized over 16 years. In 2015, Abbott acquired the remaining shares of Veropharm, increasing its ownership to 100 percent. In December 2014, Abbott completed the acquisition of Topera, Inc. for approximately $250 million in cash, plus additional payments up to $300 million to be made upon completion of certain regulatory and sales milestones. The acquisition of Topera provides Abbott a foundational entry in the electrophysiology market. The final allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of approximately $60 million, which is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $215 million, non-deductible goodwill of approximately $145 million, net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $80 million, and contingent consideration of approximately $90 million. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on an independent appraisal. Acquired intangible assets consist of developed technology and trademarks, and are being amortized over 17 years. Except for the St. Jude Medical acquisition, had the aggregate in each year of the above acquisitions taken place as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period, consolidated net sales and earnings would not have been significantly different from reported amounts.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Note 7 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets The total amount of goodwill reported was $7.683 billion at December 31, 2016 and $9.638 billion at December 31, 2015. The amount reported at December 31, 2016 excludes goodwill reported in non-current assets held for disposition. In 2016, approximately $2.0 billion of goodwill was reclassified to Non-current assets held for disposition due to the pending sale of AMO. Recent business acquisitions increased goodwill by approximately $79 million during 2016. Foreign currency translation decreased goodwill by $66 million in 2016 and decreased goodwill by $454 million in 2015. In 2015, Abbott recorded goodwill of approximately $142 million related to the Tendyne acquisition, and purchase price allocation adjustments associated with recent acquisitions decreased goodwill by approximately $117 million. The amount of goodwill related to reportable segments at December 31, 2016 was $3.0 billion for the Established Pharmaceutical Products segment, $286 million for the Nutritional Products segment, $452 million for the Diagnostic Products segment, and $3.0 billion for the Vascular Products segment. In 2016, there was no reduction of goodwill relating to impairments. The gross amount of amortizable intangible assets, primarily product rights and technology was $10.4 billion and $10.8 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and accumulated amortization was $6.2 billion and $5.7 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The December 31, 2016 amounts exclude approximately $529 million of net intangible assets related to AMO which are included in Non-current assets held for disposition due to the pending sale of AMO. In 2016, intangible assets increased by approximately $104 million related to recent business acquisitions. In 2015, the acquisition of Tendyne increased intangible assets by approximately $220 million. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which relate to in-process research and development acquired in a business combination, were approximately $349 million and $419 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In 2016, Abbott recorded an impairment of a $59 million in-process research and development project related to a non-reportable segment. Foreign currency translation increased intangible assets by $6 million in 2016 and decreased intangible assets by $251 million in 2015. The estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets recorded at December 31, 2016 is approximately $490 million in 2017, $440 million in 2018, $410 million in 2019, $410 million in 2020 and $360 million in 2021. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized over 2 to 20 years (average 10 years). These amounts do not include amortization expense associated with the intangible assets acquired as part of the St. Jude Medical acquisition which closed on January 4, 2017.

Restructuring Plans

Restructuring Plans	12 Months Ended
Restructuring Plans	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Plans
Restructuring Plans	Note 8 — Restructuring Plans In 2016, 2015 and 2014, Abbott management approved plans to streamline operations in order to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in various Abbott businesses including the nutritional, established pharmaceuticals and vascular businesses. Abbott recorded employee related severance and other charges of approximately $33 million in 2016, $95 million in 2015 and $164 million in 2014. Approximately $9 million in 2016, $18 million in 2015 and $20 million in 2014 are recorded in Cost of products sold, approximately $5 million in 2016, $34 million in 2015 and $53 million in 2014 are recorded in Research and development and approximately $19 million in 2016, $43 million in 2015 and $91 million in 2014 are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense. Additional charges of approximately $2 million in 2016, $45 million in 2015 and $39 million in 2014 were recorded primarily for accelerated depreciation. The following summarizes the activity for these restructurings: (in millions) Restructuring charges recorded in 2014 $ Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2014 Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2015 $ Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2016 $ From 2013 to 2015, Abbott management approved various plans to reduce costs and improve efficiencies across various functional areas. In 2013, Abbott management also approved plans to streamline certain manufacturing operations in order to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in Abbott's established pharmaceuticals business. In 2012, Abbott management approved plans to streamline various commercial operations in order to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in Abbott's core diagnostics, established pharmaceuticals and nutritionals businesses. Abbott recorded employee related severance charges of approximately $18 million in 2016, $66 million in 2015 and $125 million in 2014. Approximately $4 million in 2016, $9 million in 2015 and $7 million in 2014 are recorded in Cost of products sold, approximately $2 million in 2015 and $6 million in 2014 are recorded in Research and development, and approximately $14 million in 2016, $55 million in 2015 and $112 million in 2014 are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense. The following summarizes the activity related to these restructurings: (in millions) Restructuring charges recorded in 2012 $ Restructuring charges recorded in 2013 Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2013 Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2014 Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2015 $ Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2016 $

Incentive Stock Program

Incentive Stock Program	12 Months Ended
Incentive Stock Program	Dec. 31, 2016
Incentive Stock Program
Incentive Stock Program	Note 9 — Incentive Stock Program The 2009 Incentive Stock Program authorizes the granting of nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, foreign benefits and other share-based awards. Stock options and restricted stock awards and units comprise the majority of benefits that have been granted and are currently outstanding under this program and a prior program. In 2016, Abbott granted 7,782,634 stock options, 776,510 restricted stock awards and 7,593,701 restricted stock units under this program. The purchase price of shares under option must be at least equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, and the maximum term of an option is 10 years. Options generally vest equally over three years. Restricted stock awards generally vest between 3 and 5 years and for restricted stock awards that vest over 5 years, no more than one-third of the award vests in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target. Restricted stock units vest over three years and upon vesting, the recipient receives one share of Abbott stock for each vested restricted stock unit. The aggregate fair market value of restricted stock awards and units is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which may be shorter than the vesting period if an employee is retirement eligible. Restricted stock awards and settlement of vested restricted stock units are issued out of treasury shares. Abbott generally issues new shares for exercises of stock options. As a policy, Abbott does not purchase its shares relating to its share-based programs. At December 31, 2016, approximately 57 million shares were reserved for future grants. The number of restricted stock awards and units outstanding and the weighted-average grant-date fair value at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was 13,705,511 and $41.03 and 11,855,327 and $42.54, respectively. The number of restricted stock awards and units, and the weighted-average grant-date fair value, that were granted, vested and lapsed during 2016 were 8,370,211 and $38.57, 5,842,478 and $40.50 and 677,549 and $41.63, respectively. The fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $225 million, $312 million and $281 million, respectively. Options Outstanding Exercisable Options Shares Weighted Weighted Shares Weighted Weighted December 31, 2015 $ $ Granted Exercised ) Lapsed ) December 31, 2016 $ $ The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016 were each $203 million. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $98 million, $167 million and $152 million, respectively. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all share-based compensation plans at December 31, 2016 amounted to approximately $197 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next three years. Total non-cash stock compensation expense charged against income from continuing operations in 2016, 2015 and 2014 for share-based plans totaled approximately $310 million, $291 million and $239 million, respectively, and the tax benefit recognized was approximately $100 million, $98 million and $79 million, respectively. Stock compensation cost capitalized as part of inventory is not significant. The fair value of an option granted in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $4.38, $6.67, and $6.39, respectively. The fair value of an option grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: 2016 2015 2014 Risk-free interest rate % % % Average life of options (years) Volatility % % % Dividend yield % % % The risk-free interest rate is based on the rates available at the time of the grant for zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a remaining term equal to the option's expected life. The average life of an option is based on both historical and projected exercise and lapsing data. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Abbott's stock and historical volatility of Abbott's stock over the expected life of the option. Dividend yield is based on the option's exercise price and annual dividend rate at the time of grant.

Debt and Lines of Credit

Debt and Lines of Credit	12 Months Ended
Debt and Lines of Credit	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt and Lines of Credit
Debt and Lines of Credit	Note 10 — Debt and Lines of Credit The following is a summary of long-term debt at December 31: ( in millions ) 2016 2015 5.125% Notes, due 2019 $ $ 2.35% Notes, due 2019 — 4.125% Notes, due 2020 2.00% Notes, due 2020 2.90% Notes, due 2021 — 2.55% Notes, due 2022 3.40% Notes, due 2023 — 2.95% Notes, due 2025 3.75% Notes, due 2026 — 4.75% Notes, due 2036 — 6.15% Notes, due 2037 6.0% Notes, due 2039 5.3% Notes, due 2040 4.90% Notes, due 2046 — Unamortized debt issuance costs ) ) Other, including fair value adjustments relating to interest rate hedge contracts designated as fair value hedges ) Total, net of current maturities Current maturities of long-term debt Total carrying amount $ $ In November 2016, Abbott issued $15.1 billion of medium and long-term debt to primarily fund the cash portion of the acquisition of St. Jude Medical. Abbott issued $2.85 billion of 2.35% Senior Notes due November 22, 2019; $2.85 billion of 2.90% Senior Notes due November 30, 2021; $1.50 billion of 3.40% Senior Notes due November 30, 2023; $3.00 billion of 3.75% Senior Notes due November 30, 2026; $1.65 billion of 4.75% Senior Notes due November 30, 2036; and $3.25 billion of 4.90% Senior Notes due November 30, 2046. In November 2016, Abbott also entered into interest rate swap contracts totaling $3.0 billion related to the new debt, which have the effect of changing Abbott's obligation from a fixed interest rate to a variable interest rate obligation on the related debt instruments. In March 2015, Abbott issued $2.5 billion of long-term debt consisting of $750 million of 2.00% Senior Notes due March 15, 2020; $750 million of 2.55% Senior Notes due March 15, 2022; and $1.0 billion of 2.95% Senior Notes due March 15, 2025. Proceeds from this debt were used to pay down short-term borrowings. Abbott also entered into interest rate swap contracts totaling $2.5 billion. These contracts have the effect of changing Abbott's obligation from a fixed interest rate to a variable interest rate obligation. In 2014, Abbott extinguished approximately $500 million of long-term debt assumed as part of the CFR Pharmaceuticals acquisition and incurred a cost of $18.3 million to extinguish this debt. Principal payments required on long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2016 are $3 million in 2017, $2 million in 2018, $3.8 billion in 2019, $1.3 billion in 2020, $2.9 billion in 2021 and $12.9 billion in 2022 and thereafter. At December 31, 2016, Abbott's long-term debt rating was A+ by Standard & Poor's Corporation and A2 by Moody's Investors Service. In conjunction with the completion of the St. Jude Medical acquisition on January 4, 2017, the ratings were adjusted to BBB by Standard & Poor's Corporation and Baa3 by Moody's Investors Service. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit of $5.0 billion which expire in 2019 and that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements. Abbott's weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 0.6% at December 31, 2016 and 0.2% at December 31, 2015 and 2014. In April 2016, Abbott obtained a commitment for a 364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility for an amount not to exceed $17.2 billion, comprised of $15.2 billion for a 364-day bridge loan and $2.0 billion for a 120-day bridge loan to provide financing for the acquisition of St. Jude Medical. The $15.2 billion component of the commitment terminated in November 2016 when Abbott issued the $15.1 billion of long-term debt. In December 2016, Abbott formalized the $2.0 billion component and entered into a 120-day bridge term loan facility that provided Abbott the ability to borrow up to $2.0 billion on an unsecured basis to partially fund the St. Jude Medical acquisition. On January 4, 2017, Abbott borrowed $2.0 billion under this facility, of which $1.2 billion had been repaid as of January 31, 2017. In February 2016, Abbott obtained a commitment for a 364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility for an amount not to exceed $9 billion in conjunction with its pending acquisition of Alere. This commitment was automatically extended for up to 90 days on January 29, 2017. The fees associated with the bridge facilities were recognized in interest expense.

Financial Instruments, Derivati

Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures	12 Months Ended
Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures	Dec. 31, 2016
Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures
Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures	Note 11 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures Certain Abbott foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated intercompany purchases by those subsidiaries whose functional currencies are not the U.S. dollar. These contracts, with notional amounts totaling $2.6 billion at December 31, 2016, and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2015, are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign exchange rates and are recorded at fair value. At December 31, 2016, $107 million of the notional amount relates to AMO, a business that is expected to be divested in the first quarter of 2017. Accumulated gains and losses as of December 31, 2016 will be included in Cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally through the next twelve to eighteen months. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant in 2016, 2015 and 2014. Abbott enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage currency exposures for foreign currency denominated third-party trade payables and receivables, and for intercompany loans and trade accounts payable where the receivable or payable is denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. For intercompany loans, the contracts require Abbott to sell or buy foreign currencies, primarily European currencies and Japanese yen, in exchange for primarily U.S. dollars and other European currencies. For intercompany and trade payables and receivables, the currency exposures are primarily the U.S. dollar, European currencies and Japanese yen. At December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, Abbott held notional amounts of $14.9 billion, $14.0 billion and $14.1 billion, respectively, of such foreign currency forward exchange contracts. At December 31, 2016, $1.2 billion of the contracts relate to AMO, a business that is expected to be divested in the first quarter of 2017. Abbott has designated foreign denominated short-term debt as a hedge of the net investment in a foreign subsidiary of approximately $454 million, $439 million and $445 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this debt due to changes in exchange rates are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Abbott is a party to interest rate hedge contracts totaling notional amounts of $5.5 billion at December 31, 2016, $4.0 billion at December 31, 2015 and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2014, to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt. These contracts are designated as fair value hedges of the variability of the fair value of fixed-rate debt due to changes in the long-term benchmark interest rates. The effect of the hedge is to change a fixed-rate interest obligation to a variable rate for that portion of the debt. Abbott records the contracts at fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the fixed-rate debt by an offsetting amount. No hedge ineffectiveness was recorded in income in 2016, 2015 and 2014 for these hedges. In December 2016, Abbott unwound approximately $1.5 billion in interest rate swaps relating to the 4.125% Note due in 2020 and the 5.125% Note due in 2019. As part of the unwinding, Abbott received approximately $55 million in cash, which is included in the Cash Flow From Financing Activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Gross unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale equity securities totaled $10 million, $171 million and $3 million at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The following table summarizes the amounts and location of certain derivative financial instruments as of December 31: Fair Value — Assets Fair Value — Liabilities 2016 2015 Balance Sheet Caption 2016 2015 Balance Sheet Caption (in millions) Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges $ $ Deferred income taxes and other assets $ $ — Post-employment obligations and other long-term liabilities Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — Hedging instruments Other prepaid expenses and receivables Other accrued liabilities Others not designated as hedges Other prepaid expenses and receivables Other accrued liabilities Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in a foreign subsidiary — — n/a Short-term borrowings $ $ $ $ The following table summarizes the activity for foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges, debt designated as a hedge of net investment in a foreign subsidiary and certain other derivative financial instruments, as well as the amounts and location of income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into income. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant in 2016, 2015 and 2014 for these hedges. Gain (loss) Recognized in Income (expense) and Income Statement 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ $ $ $ $ $ Cost of products sold Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in a foreign subsidiary ) — — — n/a Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges n/a n/a n/a ) Interest expense Gains of $8 million and losses of $77 million and $122 million were recognized in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to foreign currency forward exchange contracts not designated as hedges. These amounts are reported in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings on the Net foreign exchange (gain) loss line. The interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges of the variability of the fair value of fixed-rate debt due to changes in the long-term benchmark interest rates. The hedged debt is marked to market, offsetting the effect of marking the interest rate swaps to market. The carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments as of December 31 are shown in the table below. The carrying values of all other financial instruments approximate their estimated fair values. The counterparties to financial instruments consist of select major international financial institutions. Abbott does not expect any losses from nonperformance by these counterparties. 2016 2015 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair (in millions) Long-term Investment Securities: Equity securities $ $ $ $ Other Total Long-term Debt ) ) ) ) Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: Receivable position (Payable) position ) ) ) ) Interest Rate Hedge Contracts: Receivable position (Payable) position ) ) — — The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet: Basis of Fair Value Measurement Outstanding Quoted Significant Other Significant (in millions) December 31, 2016: Equity securities $ $ $ — $ — Interest rate swap financial instruments — — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Total Assets $ $ $ $ — Fair value of hedged long-term debt $ $ — $ $ — Interest rate swap financial instruments — — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Contingent consideration related to business combinations — — Total Liabilities $ $ — $ $ December 31, 2015: Equity securities $ $ $ — $ — Interest rate swap financial instruments — — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Total Assets $ $ $ $ — Fair value of hedged long-term debt $ $ — $ $ — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Contingent consideration related to business combinations — — Total Liabilities $ $ — $ $ Equity securities are principally comprised of Mylan N.V. ordinary shares. The fair value of the Mylan N.V. equity securities was determined based on the value of the publicly-traded ordinary shares. The fair value of foreign currency forward exchange contracts is determined using a market approach, which utilizes values for comparable derivative instruments. The fair value of the debt was determined based on the face value of the debt adjusted for the fair value of the interest rate swaps, which is based on a discounted cash flow analysis using significant other observable inputs. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on independent appraisals adjusted for the time value of money and other changes in fair value primarily resulting from changes in regulatory timelines. Contingent consideration results from three acquisitions and the maximum amount estimated to be due is approximately $450 million, which is dependent upon attaining certain sales thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events, such as regulatory approvals.

Litigation and Environmental Ma

Litigation and Environmental Matters	12 Months Ended
Litigation and Environmental Matters	Dec. 31, 2016
Litigation and Environmental Matters
Litigation and Environmental Matters	Note 12 — Litigation and Environmental Matters Abbott has been identified as a potentially responsible party for investigation and cleanup costs at a number of locations in the United States and Puerto Rico under federal and state remediation laws and is investigating potential contamination at a number of company-owned locations. Abbott has recorded an estimated cleanup cost for each site for which management believes Abbott has a probable loss exposure. No individual site cleanup exposure is expected to exceed $4 million, and the aggregate cleanup exposure is not expected to exceed $10 million. Abbott is involved in various claims and legal proceedings, and Abbott estimates the range of possible loss for its legal proceedings and environmental exposures to be from approximately $35 million to $45 million. The recorded accrual balance at December 31, 2016 for these proceedings and exposures was approximately $40 million. This accrual represents management's best estimate of probable loss, as defined by FASB ASC No. 450, "Contingencies." Within the next year, legal proceedings may occur that may result in a change in the estimated loss accrued by Abbott. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of all such proceedings and exposures with certainty, management believes that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

Post-Employment Benefits

Post-Employment Benefits	12 Months Ended
Post-Employment Benefits	Dec. 31, 2016
Post-Employment Benefits
Post-Employment Benefits	Note 13 — Post-Employment Benefits Retirement plans consist of defined benefit, defined contribution and medical and dental plans. Information for Abbott's major defined benefit plans and post-employment medical and dental benefit plans is as follows: Defined Benefit Medical and (in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Projected benefit obligations, January 1 $ $ $ $ Service cost — benefits earned during the year Interest cost on projected benefit obligations (Gains) losses, primarily changes in discount rates, plan design changes, law changes and differences between actual and estimated health care costs ) ) Benefits paid ) ) ) ) Business dispositions — ) — — Other, including foreign currency translation ) ) ) Projected benefit obligations, December 31 $ $ $ $ Plan assets at fair value, January 1 $ $ $ $ Actual return (loss) on plans' assets ) ) Company contributions Benefits paid ) ) ) ) Business dispositions — ) — — Other, including foreign currency translation ) ) — — Plan assets at fair value, December 31 $ $ $ $ Projected benefit obligations greater than plan assets, December 31 $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Long-term assets $ $ $ — $ — Short-term liabilities ) ) ) ) Long-term liabilities ) ) ) ) Net liability $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss): Actuarial losses, net $ $ $ $ Prior service cost (credits) — — ) ) Total $ $ $ $ The projected benefit obligations for non-U.S. defined benefit plans was $2.5 billion and $2.1 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit plans were $7.4 billion and $6.9 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For plans where the accumulated benefit obligations exceeded plan assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligations, the projected benefit obligations and the aggregate plan assets were as follows: (in millions) 2016 2015 Accumulated benefit obligation $ $ Projected benefit obligation Fair value of plan assets The components of the net periodic benefit cost were as follows: Defined Benefit Plans Medical and 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Service cost — benefits earned during the year $ $ $ $ $ $ Interest cost on projected benefit obligations Expected return on plans' assets ) ) ) ) ) ) Amortization of actuarial losses Amortization of prior service cost (credits) — ) ) ) Total cost Less: Discontinued operations — ) ) — — — Net cost — continuing operations $ $ $ $ $ $ Other comprehensive income (loss) for each respective year includes the amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs (credits) as noted in the previous table. Other comprehensive income (loss) for each respective year also includes: net actuarial losses of $571 million for defined benefit plans and $20 million for medical and dental plans in 2016; net actuarial gains of $37 million for defined benefit plans and $116 million for medical and dental plans in 2015; and net actuarial losses net of prior service credits of $1.6 billion for defined benefit plans and $57 million for medical and dental plans in 2014. The pretax amount of actuarial losses and prior service cost (credits) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2016 that is expected to be recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2017 is $167 million and $1 million of expense, respectively, for defined benefit pension plans and $24 million of expense and $45 million of income, respectively, for medical and dental plans. The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans are as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Discount rate % % % Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation % % % The weighted average assumptions used to determine the net cost for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans are as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Discount rate % % % Expected return on plan assets % % % Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation % % % The assumed health care cost trend rates for medical and dental plans at December 31 were as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Health care cost trend rate assumed for the next year % % % Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to % % % Year that rate reaches the assumed ultimate rate The discount rates used to measure liabilities were determined based on high-quality fixed income securities that match the duration of the expected retiree benefits. The health care cost trend rates represent Abbott's expected annual rates of change in the cost of health care benefits and are forward projections of health care costs as of the measurement date. A one-percentage point increase/(decrease) in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase/(decrease) the accumulated post-employment benefit obligations as of December 31, 2016, by $156 million /$(137) million, and the total of the service and interest cost components of net post-employment health care cost for the year then ended by approximately $12 million/$(10) million. In 2016, Abbott adopted ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or its Equivalent) . The new standard removes the requirement to categorize all investments measured at net asset value (NAV) per share using the practical expedient allowed under ASC 820 in the fair value hierarchy. Abbott applied the standard on a retrospective basis and revised the form and content of the fair value measurement disclosures related to the assets associated with the defined benefit and medical and dental plans. The following table summarizes the basis used to measure the defined benefit and medical and dental plan assets at fair value: Basis of Fair Value Measurement Outstanding Quoted Significant Significant Measured at (in millions) December 31, 2016: Equities: U.S. large cap (a) $ $ $ — $ — $ U.S. mid cap (b) — — International (c) — — Fixed income securities: U.S. government securities (d) — Corporate debt instruments (e) — Non-U.S. government securities (f) — — Other (g) — Absolute return funds (h) — — Commodities (i) — — Cash and Cash Equivalents — — Other (j) — — — $ $ $ $ $ December 31, 2015: Equities: U.S. large cap (a) $ $ $ — $ — $ U.S. mid cap (b) — — International (c) — — Fixed income securities: U.S. government securities (d) — Corporate debt instruments (e) — Non-U.S. government securities (f) — Other (g) — Absolute return funds (h) — — Commodities (i) — Cash and Cash Equivalents — — Other (j) — — $ $ $ $ $ (a) A mix of index funds and actively managed equity accounts that are benchmarked to various large cap indices. (b) A mix of index funds and actively managed equity accounts that are benchmarked to various mid cap indices. (c) A mix of index funds and actively managed pooled investment funds that are benchmarked to various non-U.S. equity indices in both developed and emerging markets. (d) A mix of index funds and actively managed accounts that are benchmarked to various U.S. government bond indices. (e) A mix of index funds and actively managed accounts that are benchmarked to various corporate bond indices. (f) Primarily United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands and Irish government-issued bonds. (g) Primarily mortgage backed securities and an actively managed, diversified fixed income vehicle benchmarked to the one-month Libor / Euribor. (h) Primarily funds invested by managers that have a global mandate with the flexibility to allocate capital broadly across a wide range of asset classes and strategies including, but not limited to equities, fixed income, commodities, interest rate futures, currencies and other securities to outperform an agreed upon benchmark with specific return and volatility targets. (i) Primarily investments in liquid commodity future contracts and private energy funds. (j) Primarily investments in private funds, such as private equity, private credit and private real estate. (k) In accordance with ASU 2015-07, investments measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet. Equities that are valued using quoted prices are valued at the published market prices. Equities in a common collective trust or a registered investment company that are valued using significant other observable inputs are valued at the NAV provided by the fund administrator. The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund minus its liabilities. For the majority of these funds, investments may be redeemed once per month, with a required 2 to 30 day notice period. For the remaining funds, daily redemption of an investment is allowed. Fixed income securities that are valued using significant other observable inputs are valued at prices obtained from independent financial service industry-recognized vendors. Abbott did not have any unfunded commitments related to fixed income funds at December 31, 2016 and 2015. For the majority of these funds, investments may be redeemed monthly, with a required 2 to 14 day notice period. For the remaining funds, investments may be generally redeemed daily. Absolute return funds and commodities are valued at the NAV provided by the fund administrator. All private funds are valued at the NAV provided by the fund on a one-quarter lag adjusted for known cash flows and significant events through the reporting date. Abbott did not have any unfunded commitments related to absolute return funds at December 31, 2016 and 2015. Investments in these funds may be generally redeemed monthly or quarterly with required notice periods ranging from 5 to 45 days. For approximately $100 million of the absolute return funds, redemptions are subject to a 25% gate. For commodities, investments in the private energy funds cannot be redeemed but the funds will make distributions through liquidation. The estimate of the liquidation period for each fund ranges from 2017 to 2022. Abbott's unfunded commitments in these funds as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were not significant. Investments in the private funds (excluding private energy funds) cannot be redeemed but the funds will make distributions through liquidation. The estimate of the liquidation period for each fund ranges from 2017 to 2026. Abbott's unfunded commitment in these funds was $337 million and $198 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The investment mix of equity securities, fixed income and other asset allocation strategies is based upon achieving a desired return as well as balancing higher return, more volatile equity securities with lower return, less volatile fixed income securities. Investment allocations are made across a range of markets, industry sectors, capitalization sizes, and in the case of fixed income securities, maturities and credit quality. The plans do not directly hold any securities of Abbott. There are no known significant concentrations of risk in the plans' assets. Abbott's medical and dental plans' assets are invested in a similar mix as the pension plan assets. The actual asset allocation percentages at year end are consistent with the company's targeted asset allocation percentages. The plans' expected return on assets, as shown above is based on management's expectations of long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this assumption, management considers historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested, as well as current economic and capital market conditions. Abbott funds its domestic pension plans according to IRS funding limitations. International pension plans are funded according to similar regulations. Abbott funded $582 million in 2016 and $579 million in 2015 to defined pension plans. Abbott expects to contribute approximately $364 million to its pension plans in 2017, of which approximately $270 million relates to its main domestic pension plan. Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants, which includes payments funded from company assets, as well as paid from the plans, are as follows: (in millions) Defined Medical and 2017 $ $ 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 to 2026 The Abbott Stock Retirement Plan is the principal defined contribution plan. Abbott's contributions to this plan were $83 million in 2016, $81 million in 2015 and $85 million in 2014.

Taxes on Earnings from Continui

Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations	12 Months Ended
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations	Dec. 31, 2016
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations	Note 14 — Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations Taxes on earnings from continuing operations reflect the annual effective rates, including charges for interest and penalties. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. In 2016, taxes on earnings from continuing operations include the impact of a net tax benefit of approximately $225 million, primarily as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of non-deductible foreign exchange losses related to Venezuela and the adjustment of the Mylan N.V. equity investment as well as the recognition of deferred taxes associated with the pending sale of AMO. In 2015, taxes on earnings from continuing operations include a tax cost of $71 million related to the disposal of shares of Mylan N.V. stock. In 2014, taxes on earnings from continuing operations reflect the recognition of $440 million of tax expense associated with a one-time repatriation of 2014 non-U.S. earnings, partially offset by the favorable resolution of various tax positions and adjustments of tax uncertainties pertaining to prior years. U.S. income taxes are provided on those earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are intended to be remitted to the parent company. Abbott does not record deferred income taxes on earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries. Undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries aggregated $24 billion at December 31, 2016. It is not practicable to determine the amount of deferred income taxes not provided on these earnings. In the U.S., Abbott's federal income tax returns through 2013 are settled. There are numerous other income tax jurisdictions for which tax returns are not yet settled, none of which are individually significant. Reserves for interest and penalties are not significant. Earnings from continuing operations before taxes, and the related provisions for taxes on earnings from continuing operations, were as follows: (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Taxes: Domestic $ $ $ Foreign Total $ $ $ (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 Taxes on Earnings From Continuing Operations: Current: Domestic $ $ $ Foreign Total current Deferred: Domestic ) Foreign ) Total deferred ) Total $ $ $ Differences between the effective income tax rate and the U.S. statutory tax rate were as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Statutory tax rate on earnings from continuing operations % % % Impact of foreign operations ) ) Resolution of certain tax positions pertaining to prior years ) — ) Mylan share adjustment — — State taxes, net of federal benefit ) ) Federal tax cost on sale of Mylan N.V. shares — — All other, net ) ) Effective tax rate on earnings from continuing operations % % % Impact of foreign operations is primarily derived from operations in Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Ireland, Singapore, and the Netherlands. In 2014, this benefit was more than offset by the tax expense accrued as a result of Abbott's one-time repatriation of its current year foreign earnings. The 2015 effective tax rate includes the impact of the R&D tax credit that was made permanent in the U.S. by the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. The tax effect of the differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: (in millions) 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Compensation and employee benefits $ $ Other, primarily reserves not currently deductible, and NOL's and credit carryforwards Trade receivable reserves Inventory reserves Deferred intercompany profit State income taxes Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance Valuation allowance ) ) Total deferred tax assets $ $ Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation ) ) Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries ) ) Other, primarily the excess of book basis over tax basis of intangible assets ) ) Total deferred tax liabilities ) ) Total net deferred tax assets $ $ Abbott has incurred losses in a foreign jurisdiction where realization of the future economic benefit is so remote that the benefit is not reflected as a deferred tax asset. The following table summarizes the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits without regard to reduction in tax liabilities or additions to deferred tax assets and liabilities if such unrecognized tax benefits were settled: (in millions) 2016 2015 January 1 $ $ Increase due to current year tax positions Increase due to prior year tax positions Decrease due to prior year tax positions ) ) Settlements ) ) December 31 $ $ The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is approximately $925 million. Abbott believes that it is reasonably possible that the recorded amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease within a range of $100 million to $250 million, including cash adjustments, within the next twelve months as a result of concluding various domestic and international tax matters.

Segment and Geographic Area Inf

Segment and Geographic Area Information	12 Months Ended
Segment and Geographic Area Information	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment and Geographic Area Information
Segment and Geographic Area Information	Note 15 — Segment and Geographic Area Information Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products. Abbott's products are generally sold directly to retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, health care facilities, laboratories, physicians' offices and government agencies throughout the world. Abbott's reportable segments are as follows: Established Pharmaceutical Products — International sales of a broad line of branded generic pharmaceutical products. Nutritional Products — Worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products. Diagnostic Products — Worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories and alternate-care testing sites. For segment reporting purposes, the Core Laboratories Diagnostics, Molecular Diagnostics, Point of Care and Ibis diagnostic divisions are aggregated and reported as the Diagnostic Products segment. Vascular Products — Worldwide sales of coronary, endovascular, structural heart, vessel closure and other medical device products. For segment reporting purposes, the Vascular and Electrophysiology Products divisions are aggregated and reported as the Vascular Products segment. Non-reportable segments include the Diabetes Care and Medical Optics segments. Abbott's underlying accounting records are maintained on a legal entity basis for government and public reporting requirements. Segment disclosures are on a performance basis consistent with internal management reporting. The cost of some corporate functions and the cost of certain employee benefits are charged to segments at predetermined rates that approximate cost. Remaining costs, if any, are not allocated to segments. In addition, intangible asset amortization is not allocated to operating segments, and intangible assets and goodwill are not included in the measure of each segment's assets. The following segment information has been prepared in accordance with the internal accounting policies of Abbott, as described above, and are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied to the consolidated financial statements. Net Sales to External Customers (a) Operating Earnings (a) (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 Established Pharmaceuticals $ $ $ $ $ $ Nutritionals Diagnostics Vascular Total Reportable Segments $ $ $ Other Total $ $ $ (a) Net sales and operating earnings were unfavorably affected by the relatively stronger U.S. dollar in 2016, 2015 and 2014. 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings $ $ $ Corporate functions and benefit plans costs ) ) ) Non-reportable segments Net interest expense ) ) ) Net loss on extinguishment of debt — — ) Share-based compensation ) ) ) Amortization of intangible assets ) ) ) Other, net (b) ) ) ) Earnings from Continuing Operations before Taxes $ $ $ (b) Other, net includes: the $947 million adjustment of the Mylan equity investment and $480 million of foreign currency exchange loss related to operations in Venezuela in 2016 and charges for restructuring actions and other cost reduction initiatives of approximately $155 million in 2016, $310 million in 2015 and $435 million in 2014. 2015 includes a $207 million pre-tax gain on the sale of a portion of the Mylan N.V. shares. Depreciation (c) Additions to Total Assets (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 Established Pharmaceuticals $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Nutritionals Diagnostics Vascular Total Reportable Segments $ $ $ Other Total $ $ $ $ $ $ (c) Other in 2014 includes depreciation related to discontinued operations. 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Total Reportable Segment Assets $ $ $ Cash and investments Non-reportable segments Goodwill and intangible assets (d) All other (d) Total Assets $ $ $ (d) Goodwill and intangible assets related to AMO are included in the All other line in 2016. Goodwill and intangible assets related to developed markets established pharmaceuticals and animal health are included in the All other line in 2014. Net Sales to External 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) United States $ $ $ China India Germany Japan The Netherlands Switzerland Russia Vietnam Colombia Brazil Canada United Kingdom Italy All Other Countries Consolidated $ $ $ (e) Sales by country are based on the country that sold the product. Long-lived assets on a geographic basis primarily include property, plant and equipment. It excludes goodwill, intangible assets, deferred tax assets, and financial instruments. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, Long-lived assets totaled $6.6 billion and $6.4 billion, respectively, and in the United States such assets totaled $3.1 billion in both years. Long-lived asset balances associated with other countries were not material on an individual country basis in either of the two years.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event	Note 16 — Subsequent Event On January 4, 2017, Abbott completed the acquisition of St. Jude Medical, Inc. The transaction establishes Abbott as a leader in the medical device market and provides expanded opportunities for future growth. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding this acquisition.

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)	Note 17 — Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (in millions except per share data) 2016 2015 First Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings from Continuing Operations Basic Earnings per Common Share Diluted Earnings per Common Share Net Earnings Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a) Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low Second Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings from Continuing Operations Basic Earnings per Common Share Diluted Earnings per Common Share Net Earnings Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a) Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low Third Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations ) Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share ) Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share ) Net Earnings (Loss) ) Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (a) ) Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (a) ) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low Fourth Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings from Continuing Operations Basic Earnings per Common Share Diluted Earnings per Common Share Net Earnings Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a) Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low (a) The sum of the four quarters of earnings per share for 2016 and 2015 may not add to the full year earnings per share amount due to rounding and/or the use of quarter-to-date weighted average shares to calculate the earnings per share amount in each respective quarter.

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALI

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	Dec. 31, 2016
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Allowances for Doubtful Balance Provisions/ Amounts Balance at 2016 $ $ $ ) $ 2015 ) 2014 )

Summary of Significant Accoun28

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
NATURE OF BUSINESS	NATURE OF BUSINESS — Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products.
CHANGES IN PRESENTATION	CHANGES IN PRESENTATION — In September 2016, Abbott announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell Abbott Medical Optics (AMO), its vision care business, to Johnson & Johnson. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The operating results of AMO are reported as part of continuing operations as AMO does not qualify for reporting as a discontinued operation. The assets and liabilities of AMO are reported as held for disposition in Abbott's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016. On February 27, 2015, Abbott completed the sale of its developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business to Mylan Inc. (Mylan) for equity ownership of a newly formed entity that combined Mylan's existing business and Abbott's developed markets pharmaceuticals business. On February 10, 2015, Abbott completed the sale of its animal health business to Zoetis Inc. The historical operating results of these two businesses up to the date of sale are excluded from Earnings from Continuing Operations and are presented on the Earnings from Discontinued Operations line in Abbott's Consolidated Statement of Earnings. The cash flows of these businesses are included in Abbott's Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows up to the date of disposition. See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations for additional information.
BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION	BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions.
USE OF ESTIMATES	USE OF ESTIMATES — The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions by management. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Significant estimates include amounts for sales rebates; income taxes; pension and other post-employment benefits, including certain asset values that are based on significant unobservable inputs; valuation of intangible assets; litigation; derivative financial instruments; and inventory and accounts receivable exposures.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION	FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — The statements of earnings of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates for the period. The net assets of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. The U.S. dollar effects that arise from translating the net assets of these subsidiaries at changing rates are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account, which is included in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction gains and losses are recorded on the Net foreign exchange (gain) loss line of the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.
REVENUE RECOGNITION	REVENUE RECOGNITION — Revenue from product sales is recognized upon passage of title and risk of loss to customers. Provisions for discounts, rebates and sales incentives to customers, and returns and other adjustments are provided for in the period the related sales are recorded. Sales incentives to customers are not material. Historical data is readily available and reliable, and is used for estimating the amount of the reduction in gross sales. Revenue from the launch of a new product, from an improved version of an existing product, or for shipments in excess of a customer's normal requirements are recorded when the conditions noted above are met. In those situations, management records a returns reserve for such revenue, if necessary. In certain of Abbott's businesses, primarily within diagnostics and medical optics, Abbott participates in selling arrangements that include multiple deliverables (e.g., instruments, reagents, procedures, and service agreements). Under these arrangements, Abbott recognizes revenue upon delivery of the product or performance of the service and allocates the revenue based on the relative selling price of each deliverable, which is based primarily on vendor specific objective evidence. Sales of product rights for marketable products are recorded as revenue upon disposition of the rights. Revenue from license of product rights, or for performance of research or selling activities, is recorded over the periods earned. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which provides a single comprehensive model for accounting for revenue from contracts with customers and will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard becomes effective for Abbott in the first quarter of 2018. Abbott is continuing to evaluate the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures including the areas of variable consideration and new disclosure requirements. Abbott will continue to monitor additional modifications, clarifications or interpretations undertaken by the FASB that may impact Abbott's current conclusions. Abbott is currently expecting to use the modified retrospective method to adopt this standard.
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES — Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements at the enacted statutory rate to be in effect when the taxes are paid. U.S. income taxes are provided on those earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are intended to be remitted to the parent company. Deferred income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries. Interest and penalties on income tax obligations are included in taxes on income.
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE — Unvested restricted stock units and awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are treated as participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are allocated between common shares and participating securities. Earnings from Continuing Operations allocated to common shares in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1.057 billion, $2.595 billion and $1.713 billion, respectively. Net earnings allocated to common shares in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1.393 billion, $4.403 billion and $2.273 billion, respectively.
PENSION AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS	PENSION AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS — Abbott accrues for the actuarially determined cost of pension and post-employment benefits over the service attribution periods of the employees. Abbott must develop long-term assumptions, the most significant of which are the health care cost trend rates, discount rates and the expected return on plan assets. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual return are amortized over a five-year period. Actuarial losses and gains are amortized over the remaining service attribution periods of the employees under the corridor method.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — For assets and liabilities that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs are valued by reference to similar assets or liabilities, adjusted for contract restrictions and other terms specific to that asset or liability. For these items, a significant portion of fair value is derived by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets. For all remaining assets and liabilities, fair value is derived using a fair value model, such as a discounted cash flow model or Black-Scholes model. Purchased intangible assets are recorded at fair value. The fair value of significant purchased intangible assets is based on independent appraisals. Abbott uses a discounted cash flow model to value intangible assets. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash flows, risk, the cost of capital, terminal values and market participants. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on a quarterly basis. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION — The fair value of stock options and restricted stock awards and units are amortized over their requisite service period, which could be shorter than the vesting period if an employee is retirement eligible, with a charge to compensation expense.
LITIGATION	LITIGATION — Abbott accounts for litigation losses in accordance with FASB ASC No. 450, "Contingencies." Under ASC No. 450, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. Legal fees are recorded as incurred.
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS	CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS — Cash equivalents consist of bank time deposits, U.S. government securities money market funds and U.S. treasury bills with original maturities of three months or less. An investment in a publicly traded company, with a carrying value of approximately $58 million, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. All other investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with any unrealized holding gains or losses, net of tax, included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Investments in equity securities that are not traded on public stock exchanges are recorded at cost. Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity, as management has both the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity, and are reported at cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount. Income relating to these securities is reported as interest income. Abbott reviews the carrying value of investments each quarter to determine whether an other than temporary decline in fair value exists. Abbott considers factors affecting the investee, factors affecting the industry the investee operates in and general equity market trends. Abbott considers the length of time an investment's fair value has been below carrying value and the near-term prospects for recovery to carrying value. When Abbott determines that an other than temporary decline has occurred, the investment is written down with a charge to Other (income) expense, net.
TRADE RECEIVABLE VALUATIONS	TRADE RECEIVABLE VALUATIONS — Accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance against gross trade receivables reflects the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information. Accounts receivable are charged off after all reasonable means to collect the full amount (including litigation, where appropriate) have been exhausted.
INVENTORIES	INVENTORIES — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. Cost includes material and conversion costs.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT — Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The following table shows estimated useful lives of property and equipment: Classification Estimated Useful Lives Buildings 10 to 50 years (average 27 years) Equipment 3 to 20 years (average 11 years)
PRODUCT LIABILITY	PRODUCT LIABILITY — Abbott accrues for product liability claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing information. The liabilities are adjusted quarterly as additional information becomes available. Receivables for insurance recoveries for product liability claims are recorded as assets, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a recovery will be realized. Product liability losses are self-insured.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS	RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS — Internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Clinical trial costs incurred by third parties are expensed as the contracted work is performed. Where contingent milestone payments are due to third parties under research and development arrangements, the milestone payment obligations are expensed when the milestone results are achieved.
ACQUIRED IN-PROCESS AND COLLABORATIONS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (IPR&D)	ACQUIRED IN-PROCESS AND COLLABORATIONS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (IPR&D) — The initial costs of rights to IPR&D projects obtained in an asset acquisition are expensed as IPR&D unless the project has an alternative future use. These costs include initial payments incurred prior to regulatory approval in connection with research and development collaboration agreements that provide rights to develop, manufacture, market and/or sell pharmaceutical products. The fair value of IPR&D projects acquired in a business combination are capitalized and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets until completed and are then amortized over the remaining useful life. Collaborations are not significant.
CONCENTRATION OF RISK AND GUARANTEES	CONCENTRATION OF RISK AND GUARANTEES — Due to the nature of its operations, Abbott is not subject to significant concentration risks relating to customers, products or geographic locations. Governmental accounts in Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal accounted for 6 percent and 7 percent of total net trade receivables as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Product warranties are not significant. Abbott has no material exposures to off-balance sheet arrangements; no special purpose entities; nor activities that include non-exchange-traded contracts accounted for at fair value. Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies, which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events.

Summary of Significant Accoun29

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Schedule of estimated useful lives of property and equipment	Classification Estimated Useful Lives Buildings 10 to 50 years (average 27 years) Equipment 3 to 20 years (average 11 years)

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Discontinued Operations (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations
Schedule of components of discontinued operations	Year Ended December 31 (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 Net Sales Developed markets generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses $ — $ $ AbbVie — — — Total $ — $ $ Earnings (Loss) Before Tax Developed markets generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses $ ) $ $ AbbVie — — — Total $ ) $ $ Net Earnings Developed markets generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses $ $ $ AbbVie Total $ $ $

Assets and Liabilities Held f31

Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition
Summary of assets and liabilities held for disposition	(in millions) December 31, December 31, Trade receivables, net $ $ Total inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Current assets held for disposition Net property and equipment Intangible assets, net of amortization — Goodwill — Deferred income taxes and other assets Non-current assets held for disposition Total assets held for disposition $ $ Trade accounts payable $ $ Salaries, wages, commissions and other accrued liabilities Current liabilities held for disposition Post-employment obligations, deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities — Total liabilities held for disposition $ $

Supplemental Financial Inform32

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Financial Information
Schedule of long-term investments	2016 2015 (in millions) Long-term Investments: Equity securities $ $ Other Total $ $
Schedule of other accrued liabilities	2016 2015 (in millions) Other Accrued Liabilities: Accrued rebates payable to government agencies $ $ Accrued other rebates (a) All other Total $ $ (a) Accrued wholesaler chargeback rebates of $214 million and $170 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are netted in trade receivables because Abbott's customers are invoiced at a higher catalog price but only remit to Abbott their contract price for the products.
Schedule of post-employment obligations and other long-term liabilities	2016 2015 (in millions) Post-employment Obligations and Other Long-term Liabilities: Defined benefit pension plans and post-employment medical and dental plans for significant plans $ $ Deferred income taxes All other (b) Total $ $ (b) 2016 includes approximately $560 million of net unrecognized tax benefits, as well as approximately $130 million of acquisition consideration payable. 2015 includes approximately $600 million of net unrecognized tax benefits as well as approximately $148 million of acquisition consideration payable.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi33

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income	The components of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes, are as follows: ( in millions ) Cumulative Net Cumulative Cumulative Total Balance at December 31, 2014 $ ) $ ) $ $ $ ) Impact of business dispositions — — Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications ) ) (Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — ) ) ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) ) ) ) Balance at December 31, 2015 ) ) ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications ) ) ) ) (Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) ) ) ) ) ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ ) $ ) $ ) $ $ ) (a) Reclassified amounts for foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings as Net Foreign exchange loss (gain); gains (losses) on marketable equity securities are recorded as Other (income) expense and gains/losses related to cash flow hedges are recorded as Cost of product sold. Net actuarial losses and prior service cost is included as a component of net periodic benefit plan cost — see Note 13 for additional information.

Business Acquisitions (Tables)

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Business Acquisitions (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
St Jude Medical
Business Acquisitions
Schedule of allocation of fair value of the acquisition	(in billions) Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible $ Goodwill, non-deductible Acquired net tangible assets Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition ) Net debt ) Total preliminary allocation of fair value $
CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A.
Business Acquisitions
Schedule of allocation of fair value of the acquisition	(in billions) Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible $ Goodwill, non-deductible Acquired net tangible assets Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition ) Total final allocation of fair value $

Restructuring Plans (Tables)

Restructuring Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Restructuring Plans (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Plan 2016, 2015 and 2014
Restructuring costs
Summary of restructuring activity	(in millions) Restructuring charges recorded in 2014 $ Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2014 Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2015 $ Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2016 $
Restructuring Plan 2013 to 2015
Restructuring costs
Summary of restructuring activity	(in millions) Restructuring charges recorded in 2012 $ Restructuring charges recorded in 2013 Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2013 Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2014 Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2015 $ Restructuring charges Payments and other adjustments ) Accrued balance at December 31, 2016 $

Incentive Stock Program (Tables

Incentive Stock Program (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Incentive Stock Program (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Incentive Stock Program
Schedule of stock options outstanding and exercisable	Options Outstanding Exercisable Options Shares Weighted Weighted Shares Weighted Weighted December 31, 2015 $ $ Granted Exercised ) Lapsed ) December 31, 2016 $ $
Schedule of fair value assumptions used to estimate fair value of option	2016 2015 2014 Risk-free interest rate % % % Average life of options (years) Volatility % % % Dividend yield % % %

Debt and Lines of Credit (Table

Debt and Lines of Credit (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Debt and Lines of Credit (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt and Lines of Credit
Summary of long-term debt	The following is a summary of long-term debt at December 31: ( in millions ) 2016 2015 5.125% Notes, due 2019 $ $ 2.35% Notes, due 2019 — 4.125% Notes, due 2020 2.00% Notes, due 2020 2.90% Notes, due 2021 — 2.55% Notes, due 2022 3.40% Notes, due 2023 — 2.95% Notes, due 2025 3.75% Notes, due 2026 — 4.75% Notes, due 2036 — 6.15% Notes, due 2037 6.0% Notes, due 2039 5.3% Notes, due 2040 4.90% Notes, due 2046 — Unamortized debt issuance costs ) ) Other, including fair value adjustments relating to interest rate hedge contracts designated as fair value hedges ) Total, net of current maturities Current maturities of long-term debt Total carrying amount $ $

Financial Instruments, Deriva38

Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures
Summary of the amounts and location of certain derivative financial instruments	Fair Value — Assets Fair Value — Liabilities 2016 2015 Balance Sheet Caption 2016 2015 Balance Sheet Caption (in millions) Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges $ $ Deferred income taxes and other assets $ $ — Post-employment obligations and other long-term liabilities Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — Hedging instruments Other prepaid expenses and receivables Other accrued liabilities Others not designated as hedges Other prepaid expenses and receivables Other accrued liabilities Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in a foreign subsidiary — — n/a Short-term borrowings $ $ $ $
Schedule of derivatives gain (loss) in OCI and earnings	Gain (loss) Recognized in Income (expense) and Income Statement 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ $ $ $ $ $ Cost of products sold Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in a foreign subsidiary ) — — — n/a Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges n/a n/a n/a ) Interest expense
Schedule of carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments	2016 2015 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair (in millions) Long-term Investment Securities: Equity securities $ $ $ $ Other Total Long-term Debt ) ) ) ) Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts: Receivable position (Payable) position ) ) ) ) Interest Rate Hedge Contracts: Receivable position (Payable) position ) ) — —
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	Basis of Fair Value Measurement Outstanding Quoted Significant Other Significant (in millions) December 31, 2016: Equity securities $ $ $ — $ — Interest rate swap financial instruments — — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Total Assets $ $ $ $ — Fair value of hedged long-term debt $ $ — $ $ — Interest rate swap financial instruments — — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Contingent consideration related to business combinations — — Total Liabilities $ $ — $ $ December 31, 2015: Equity securities $ $ $ — $ — Interest rate swap financial instruments — — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Total Assets $ $ $ $ — Fair value of hedged long-term debt $ $ — $ $ — Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — — Contingent consideration related to business combinations — — Total Liabilities $ $ — $ $

Post-Employment Benefits (Table

Post-Employment Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Post-Employment Benefits (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Post-Employment Benefits
Schedule of aggregate accumulated benefit obligations, projected benefit obligations and aggregate plan assets for plans whose accumulated benefit obligation exceeded plan assets	Defined Benefit Medical and (in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Projected benefit obligations, January 1 $ $ $ $ Service cost — benefits earned during the year Interest cost on projected benefit obligations (Gains) losses, primarily changes in discount rates, plan design changes, law changes and differences between actual and estimated health care costs ) ) Benefits paid ) ) ) ) Business dispositions — ) — — Other, including foreign currency translation ) ) ) Projected benefit obligations, December 31 $ $ $ $ Plan assets at fair value, January 1 $ $ $ $ Actual return (loss) on plans' assets ) ) Company contributions Benefits paid ) ) ) ) Business dispositions — ) — — Other, including foreign currency translation ) ) — — Plan assets at fair value, December 31 $ $ $ $ Projected benefit obligations greater than plan assets, December 31 $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Long-term assets $ $ $ — $ — Short-term liabilities ) ) ) ) Long-term liabilities ) ) ) ) Net liability $ ) $ ) $ ) $ ) Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss): Actuarial losses, net $ $ $ $ Prior service cost (credits) — — ) ) Total $ $ $ $
Schedule of plans where the accumulated benefit obligations exceeded plan assets the aggregate accumulated benefit obligations, the projected benefit obligations and the aggregate plan assets	(in millions) 2016 2015 Accumulated benefit obligation $ $ Projected benefit obligation Fair value of plan assets
The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the entity's major defined benefit plans and post-employment medical and dental benefit plans	Defined Benefit Plans Medical and 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Service cost — benefits earned during the year $ $ $ $ $ $ Interest cost on projected benefit obligations Expected return on plans' assets ) ) ) ) ) ) Amortization of actuarial losses Amortization of prior service cost (credits) — ) ) ) Total cost Less: Discontinued operations — ) ) — — — Net cost — continuing operations $ $ $ $ $ $
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net cost for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans	The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans are as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Discount rate % % % Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation % % % The weighted average assumptions used to determine the net cost for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans are as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Discount rate % % % Expected return on plan assets % % % Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation % % %
Assumed health care cost trend rates	The assumed health care cost trend rates for medical and dental plans at December 31 were as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Health care cost trend rate assumed for the next year % % % Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to % % % Year that rate reaches the assumed ultimate rate
Bases used to measure the defined benefit and medical and dental plan assets at fair value	Basis of Fair Value Measurement Outstanding Quoted Significant Significant Measured at (in millions) December 31, 2016: Equities: U.S. large cap (a) $ $ $ — $ — $ U.S. mid cap (b) — — International (c) — — Fixed income securities: U.S. government securities (d) — Corporate debt instruments (e) — Non-U.S. government securities (f) — — Other (g) — Absolute return funds (h) — — Commodities (i) — — Cash and Cash Equivalents — — Other (j) — — — $ $ $ $ $ December 31, 2015: Equities: U.S. large cap (a) $ $ $ — $ — $ U.S. mid cap (b) — — International (c) — — Fixed income securities: U.S. government securities (d) — Corporate debt instruments (e) — Non-U.S. government securities (f) — Other (g) — Absolute return funds (h) — — Commodities (i) — Cash and Cash Equivalents — — Other (j) — — $ $ $ $ $ (a) A mix of index funds and actively managed equity accounts that are benchmarked to various large cap indices. (b) A mix of index funds and actively managed equity accounts that are benchmarked to various mid cap indices. (c) A mix of index funds and actively managed pooled investment funds that are benchmarked to various non-U.S. equity indices in both developed and emerging markets. (d) A mix of index funds and actively managed accounts that are benchmarked to various U.S. government bond indices. (e) A mix of index funds and actively managed accounts that are benchmarked to various corporate bond indices. (f) Primarily United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands and Irish government-issued bonds. (g) Primarily mortgage backed securities and an actively managed, diversified fixed income vehicle benchmarked to the one-month Libor / Euribor. (h) Primarily funds invested by managers that have a global mandate with the flexibility to allocate capital broadly across a wide range of asset classes and strategies including, but not limited to equities, fixed income, commodities, interest rate futures, currencies and other securities to outperform an agreed upon benchmark with specific return and volatility targets. (i) Primarily investments in liquid commodity future contracts and private energy funds. (j) Primarily investments in private funds, such as private equity, private credit and private real estate. (k) In accordance with ASU 2015-07, investments measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet.
Benefit payments expected to be paid to participants	(in millions) Defined Medical and 2017 $ $ 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 to 2026

Taxes on Earnings from Contin40

Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes	(in millions) 2016 2015 2014 Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Taxes: Domestic $ $ $ Foreign Total $ $ $
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations	(in millions) 2016 2015 2014 Taxes on Earnings From Continuing Operations: Current: Domestic $ $ $ Foreign Total current Deferred: Domestic ) Foreign ) Total deferred ) Total $ $ $
Reconciliation of income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate to income tax expense (benefit)	2016 2015 2014 Statutory tax rate on earnings from continuing operations % % % Impact of foreign operations ) ) Resolution of certain tax positions pertaining to prior years ) — ) Mylan share adjustment — — State taxes, net of federal benefit ) ) Federal tax cost on sale of Mylan N.V. shares — — All other, net ) ) Effective tax rate on earnings from continuing operations % % %
Schedule of components of net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	(in millions) 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Compensation and employee benefits $ $ Other, primarily reserves not currently deductible, and NOL's and credit carryforwards Trade receivable reserves Inventory reserves Deferred intercompany profit State income taxes Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance Valuation allowance ) ) Total deferred tax assets $ $ Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation ) ) Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries ) ) Other, primarily the excess of book basis over tax basis of intangible assets ) ) Total deferred tax liabilities ) ) Total net deferred tax assets $ $
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits for the period	(in millions) 2016 2015 January 1 $ $ Increase due to current year tax positions Increase due to prior year tax positions Decrease due to prior year tax positions ) ) Settlements ) ) December 31 $ $

Segment and Geographic Area I41

Segment and Geographic Area Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Segment and Geographic Area Information (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment and Geographic Area Information
Schedule of net sales by product type	Net Sales to External Customers (a) Operating Earnings (a) (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 Established Pharmaceuticals $ $ $ $ $ $ Nutritionals Diagnostics Vascular Total Reportable Segments $ $ $ Other Total $ $ $ (a) Net sales and operating earnings were unfavorably affected by the relatively stronger U.S. dollar in 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Schedule of reconciliation of operating earnings by segment	2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings $ $ $ Corporate functions and benefit plans costs ) ) ) Non-reportable segments Net interest expense ) ) ) Net loss on extinguishment of debt — — ) Share-based compensation ) ) ) Amortization of intangible assets ) ) ) Other, net (b) ) ) ) Earnings from Continuing Operations before Taxes $ $ $ (b) Other, net includes: the $947 million adjustment of the Mylan equity investment and $480 million of foreign currency exchange loss related to operations in Venezuela in 2016 and charges for restructuring actions and other cost reduction initiatives of approximately $155 million in 2016, $310 million in 2015 and $435 million in 2014. 2015 includes a $207 million pre-tax gain on the sale of a portion of the Mylan N.V. shares.
Schedule of information about long-lived assets by segment	Depreciation (c) Additions to Total Assets (in millions) 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 Established Pharmaceuticals $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Nutritionals Diagnostics Vascular Total Reportable Segments $ $ $ Other Total $ $ $ $ $ $ (c) Other in 2014 includes depreciation related to discontinued operations.
Schedule of reconciliation of total assets by segment	2016 2015 2014 (in millions) Total Reportable Segment Assets $ $ $ Cash and investments Non-reportable segments Goodwill and intangible assets (d) All other (d) Total Assets $ $ $ (d) Goodwill and intangible assets related to AMO are included in the All other line in 2016. Goodwill and intangible assets related to developed markets established pharmaceuticals and animal health are included in the All other line in 2014.
Schedule of segment information - net sales and operating earnings	Net Sales to External 2016 2015 2014 (in millions) United States $ $ $ China India Germany Japan The Netherlands Switzerland Russia Vietnam Colombia Brazil Canada United Kingdom Italy All Other Countries Consolidated $ $ $ (e) Sales by country are based on the country that sold the product.

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)	(in millions except per share data) 2016 2015 First Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings from Continuing Operations Basic Earnings per Common Share Diluted Earnings per Common Share Net Earnings Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a) Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low Second Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings from Continuing Operations Basic Earnings per Common Share Diluted Earnings per Common Share Net Earnings Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a) Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low Third Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations ) Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share ) Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share ) Net Earnings (Loss) ) Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (a) ) Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (a) ) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low Fourth Quarter Continuing Operations: Net Sales $ $ Gross Profit Earnings from Continuing Operations Basic Earnings per Common Share Diluted Earnings per Common Share Net Earnings Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a) Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a) Market Price Per Share-High Market Price Per Share-Low (a) The sum of the four quarters of earnings per share for 2016 and 2015 may not add to the full year earnings per share amount due to rounding and/or the use of quarter-to-date weighted average shares to calculate the earnings per share amount in each respective quarter.

Summary of Significant Accoun43

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - General (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of businesses disposed \| item	2
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings from continuing operations allocated to common shares	$ 1,057	$ 2,595	$ 1,713
Net earnings allocated to common shares	$ 1,393	$ 4,403	$ 2,273
PENSION AND POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Amortization period of differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual return	5 years
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Model used to derive fair value	discounted cash flow model or Black-Scholes model
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
Investment in a publicly traded company	$ 58

Summary of Significant Accoun44

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Buildings \| Minimum
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Estimated Useful Lives	10 years
Buildings \| Maximum
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Estimated Useful Lives	50 years
Buildings \| Average
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Estimated Useful Lives	27 years
Equipment \| Minimum
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Equipment \| Maximum
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Estimated Useful Lives	20 years
Equipment \| Average
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Estimated Useful Lives	11 years

Summary of Significant Accoun45

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - CONCENTRATION OF RISK AND GUARANTEES (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Trade receivables \| Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal
Concentration of Risk
Trade receivables by principal customers (as a percent)	6.00%	7.00%

Discontinued Operations - By Di

Discontinued Operations - By Disposal (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	Feb. 27, 2015	Feb. 10, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
After tax Gain					$ 16	$ 1,752
Pretax gain					$ 25	2,840
Gain on sale of Mylan shares						207
Proceeds from the sale of Mylan N.V. shares						$ 2,290
Mylan N. V. (Investee)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares in investment sold			40,250
Gain on sale of Mylan shares			$ 207
Proceeds from the sale of Mylan N.V. shares			$ 2,290
Percentage of ownership after transaction			14.00%
Developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Period of notice require to terminate manufacturing supply of products	2 years
Developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business \| Minimum
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Extension period of certain transition services	5 months
Period for providing manufacturing supply of products	3 years
Developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business \| Maximum
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Period of transition services	2 years
Extension period of certain transition services	10 months
Period for providing manufacturing supply of products					10 years
Developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business \| Mylan N. V. (Investee) \| Mylan
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares received for sale of business	110,000
Percentage of shares received for sale of business	22.00%
Value of shares received for sale of business	$ 5,770
After tax Gain	$ 1,600
Animal Health Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
After tax Gain		$ 130		$ 16
Pretax gain				$ 25
Proceeds from the disposition of business		$ 230

Discontinued Operations - Summa

Discontinued Operations - Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial information for discontinued operations
Net Sales		$ 256	$ 2,076
Earnings (Loss) Before Tax	$ (4)	13	505
Income tax benefits	325	52	58
Net Earnings	321	65	563
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax
Pretax gain	25	2,840
After tax Gain	16	1,752
Developed Markets Generics Pharmaceuticals And Animal Health Business
Financial information for discontinued operations
Net Sales		256	2,076
Earnings (Loss) Before Tax	(4)	13	505
Net Earnings	3	62	397
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax
Pretax gain		2,840
Tax expenses from discontinued operations		1,088
After tax Gain		1,752
Developed Markets Branded Pharmaceuticals Business
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax
Tax expenses from discontinued operations		667
AbbVie
Financial information for discontinued operations
Net Earnings	318	3	166
Tax benefit related to the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years	$ 318	$ 48	$ 166

Assets and Liabilities Held f48

Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2017
Assets and liabilities held for disposition
Earnings (loss) before taxes	$ 1,413	$ 3,183	$ 2,518
Trade receivables, net	222	17
Total inventories	240	43
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	51	45
Current assets held for disposition	513	105
Net property and equipment	247	1
Intangible assets, net of amortization	529
Goodwill	1,966
Deferred income taxes and other assets	11	1
Non-current assets held for disposition	2,753	2
Total assets held for disposition	3,266	107
Trade accounts payable	71	359
Salaries, wages, commissions and other accrued liabilities	174	14
Current liabilities held for disposition	245	373
Post-employment obligations, deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities	59
Total liabilities held for disposition	304	373
AMO \| Dispositions held for sale
Assets and liabilities held for disposition
Earnings (loss) before taxes	$ 30	$ 64
Forecast \| AMO \| Dispositions held for sale
Assets and liabilities held for disposition
Sale consideration				$ 4,325

Supplemental Financial Inform49

Supplemental Financial Information - Other income and expense (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	Feb. 27, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental financial information
Mylan N.V. equity investment adjustment			$ 947
Gain on sale of Mylan shares				$ 207
Proceeds from the sale of Mylan N.V. shares				2,290
Net loss on extinguishment of debt					$ 18
Extinguishment of long-term debt					$ 500
Mylan N. V. (Investee)
Supplemental financial information
Gain on sale of Mylan shares		$ 207
Number of shares in investment sold		40,250
Proceeds from the sale of Mylan N.V. shares		$ 2,290
Percentage of ownership before transaction		22.00%
Percentage of ownership after transaction		14.00%
Other (income) expense
Supplemental financial information
Increase (decrease) in fair value of contingent consideration liability related to a business acquisition				$ (79)
Other (income) expense \| Mylan N. V. (Investee)
Supplemental financial information
Mylan N.V. equity investment adjustment			$ 947
Gain on sale of Mylan shares		$ 207
Developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business \| Mylan \| Mylan N. V. (Investee)
Supplemental financial information
Number of shares received for sale of business	110,000

Supplemental Financial Inform50

Supplemental Financial Information - Investments (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Component of investments
Long-term Investments	$ 2,947	$ 4,041
Equity securities
Component of investments
Long-term Investments	2,906	4,014
Equity securities \| Mylan N. V. (Investee)
Component of investments
Long-term Investments	$ 2,661	$ 3,771
Number of shares owned	69.7	69.7
Other
Component of investments
Long-term Investments	$ 41	$ 27

Supplemental Financial Inform51

Supplemental Financial Information - Other accrued liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Accrued Liabilities:
Accrued rebates payable to government agencies	$ 110	$ 140
Accrued other rebates	296	301
All other	2,175	2,602
Total	2,581	3,043
Accrued wholesaler chargeback rebates	$ 214	$ 170

Supplemental Financial Inform52

Supplemental Financial Information - Post-employment obligations and other long-term liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Post-employment Obligations and Other Long-term Liabilities:
Defined benefit pension plans and post-employment medical and dental plans for significant plans	$ 2,154	$ 2,241
Deferred income taxes	356	808
All other	2,039	1,815
Total	4,549	4,864
All other disclosures
Net unrecognized tax benefit from acquisition	560	600
Acquisition contingent consideration, noncurrent	$ 130	$ 148

Supplemental Financial Inform53

Supplemental Financial Information - Foreign currency (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016	Feb. 17, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreigh currency disclosures
Foreign currency exchange loss on remeasurement	$ 480
Venezuela
Foreigh currency disclosures
Foreign currency exchange loss on remeasurement	$ 480
Abbott's total net assets from Venezuelan operations (as a percent)	0.10%
C E N C O E X
Foreigh currency disclosures
Official rate to U.S. dollar				6.3
SICAD
Foreigh currency disclosures
Official rate to U.S. dollar				13.5
SIMADI
Foreigh currency disclosures
Official rate to U.S. dollar				200
DIPRO
Foreigh currency disclosures
Official rate to U.S. dollar			10	6.3
DICOM
Foreigh currency disclosures
Official rate to U.S. dollar		263
Venezuelan bolivars
Foreigh currency disclosures
Official rate to U.S. dollar				6.3

Accumulated Other Comprehensi54

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes
Beginning of Year	$ 21,211
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(605)	$ (1,732)	$ (3,041)
End of Year	20,538	21,211
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes
Beginning of Year	(6,658)	(5,053)
Impact of business dispositions		127
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,591)	(1,577)
(Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	986	(155)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(605)	(1,732)	(3,041)
End of Year	(7,263)	(6,658)	(5,053)
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes
Beginning of Year	(4,829)	(2,924)
Impact of business dispositions		108
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(130)	(2,013)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(130)	(2,013)
End of Year	(4,959)	(4,829)	(2,924)
Net Actuarial Losses and Prior Service Costs and Credits
Other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes
Beginning of Year	(1,958)	(2,229)
Impact of business dispositions		19
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(393)	145
(Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	67	107
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(326)	252
End of Year	(2,284)	(1,958)	(2,229)
Cumulative Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Equity Securities
Other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes
Beginning of Year	65	1
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,109)	202
(Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	975	(138)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(134)	64
End of Year	(69)	65	1
Cumulative Gains on Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Other comprehensive income from continuing operations, net of income taxes
Beginning of Year	64	99
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	41	89
(Income) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(56)	(124)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(15)	(35)
End of Year	$ 49	$ 64	$ 99

Business Acquisitions - St. Jud

Business Acquisitions - St. Jude Medical (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Jan. 04, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business acquisitions
Net cash paid, net of cash on hand of acquired company			$ 80	$ 235	$ 3,317
Allocation of the fair value
Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible		$ 104	104
Goodwill, non-deductible		7,683	7,683	$ 9,638
St Jude Medical
Business acquisitions
Total consideration for business acquisition	$ 23,600
Cash paid for business acquisition	13,600
Issue of equity for business acquisition	$ 10,000
Number of equity shares issued for business acquisition	254,000,000
Debt assumed or refinanced	$ 5,800
Share price of shares received in acquisition per agreement (in dollars per share)	$ 46.75
Share received (in shares)	0.8708
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 39.36
Expected value per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 81
Allocation of the fair value
Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible	$ 16,000
Goodwill, non-deductible	14,800
Acquired net tangible assets	3,000
Deferred income tax liabilities	(5,000)
Net debt	(5,200)
Total Preliminary allocation of fair value	$ 23,600
Pro forma financial information
Pro forma Net Sales			26,800
Pro forma Earnings from continuing operations			157
Amortization of inventory step-up			700
St Jude Medical \| Terumo \| Supply Commitment
Allocation of the fair value
Purchase price for agreement to sell products		$ 1,120	$ 1,120
St Jude Medical \| 120-day bridge loan
Business acquisitions
Maturity period	120 days	120 days
Proceeds from Short-term Debt	$ 2,000

Business Acquisitions - Alere (

Business Acquisitions - Alere (Details)	Jan. 30, 2016$ / shares
Alere Inc
Business acquisitions
Share price of shares received in acquisition per agreement (in dollars per share)	$ 56

Business Acquisitions - Tendyne

Business Acquisitions - Tendyne (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business acquisitions
Net cash paid, net of cash on hand of acquired company		$ 80	$ 235	$ 3,317
Allocation of the fair value
Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible		104
Goodwill, non-deductible		$ 7,683	$ 9,638
Tendyne Holdings, Inc.
Business acquisitions
Cash paid for business acquisition	$ 225
Additional payments upon completion of certain regulatory milestones	150
Allocation of the fair value
Goodwill, non-deductible	142
Deferred tax assets and other net assets	18
Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition	85
Non-deductible acquired in-process research and development	220
Contingent consideration	$ 70

Business Acquisitions - CFR (De

Business Acquisitions - CFR (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Sep. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Business acquisitions

Net cash paid, net of cash on hand of acquired company

$ 80

$ 235

$ 3,317

Allocation of the fair value

Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible

$ 104

104

Goodwill, non-deductible

7,683

$ 9,638

7,683

9,638

Net Sales

$ 5,333

$ 5,302

$ 5,333

$ 4,885

$ 5,188

$ 5,150

$ 5,170

$ 4,897

$ 20,853

20,405

$ 20,247

Minimum

Allocation of the fair value

Amortization period of acquired intangible assets

2 years

Maximum

Allocation of the fair value

Amortization period of acquired intangible assets

20 years

Average

Allocation of the fair value

Amortization period of acquired intangible assets

10 years

CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A.

Business acquisitions

Cash paid for business acquisition

$ 2,900

Net cash paid, net of cash on hand of acquired company

2,800

Assumed debt

570

Acquisition cost

$ 3,400

Percentage of voting interest acquired

100.00%

Fair value of the non-controlling interest at the acquisition date

$ 3

Allocation of the fair value

Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible

1,870

Goodwill, non-deductible

1,420

Acquired net tangible assets

Deferred income tax liabilities

(400)

Net debt

(570)

Total Preliminary allocation of fair value

2,920

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade accounts receivable

180

Inventory

169

Other current assets

Property and equipment

210

Other long-term assets

145

Borrowings

570

Trade accounts payable and other current liabilities

240

Other noncurrent liabilities

$ 14

Net Sales

$ 750

CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A. | Minimum

Allocation of the fair value

Amortization period of acquired intangible assets

12 years

CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A. | Maximum

Allocation of the fair value

Amortization period of acquired intangible assets

16 years

CFR Pharmaceuticals S.A. | Average

Allocation of the fair value

Amortization period of acquired intangible assets

15 years

Business Acquisitions - Veropha

Business Acquisitions - Veropharm (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allocation of the fair value
Goodwill, non-deductible		$ 7,683	$ 9,638
Veropharm
Business acquisitions
Cash paid for business acquisition	$ 315
Subsequent payment related to working capital adjustment	5
Assumed debt	90
Acquisition cost	$ 415
Percentage of voting interest acquired	98.00%
Fair value of the non-controlling interest at the acquisition date	$ 5
Allocation of the fair value
Goodwill, non-deductible	140
Deferred income tax liabilities	(25)
Net debt	$ (90)
Amortization period of acquired intangible assets	16 years
Trade accounts receivable	$ 45
Inventory	25
Property and equipment	150
Other current liabilities	20
Non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets	$ 100
Percentage ownership			100.00%

Business Acquisitions - Topera

Business Acquisitions - Topera (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allocation of the fair value
Goodwill, non-deductible			$ 7,683	$ 9,638
Topera
Business acquisitions
Cash paid for business acquisition		$ 250
Additional payments upon completion of certain regulatory milestones		300
Allocation of the fair value
Goodwill, non-deductible		145
Deferred income tax liabilities		$ (80)
Amortization period of acquired intangible assets		17 years
Non-deductible acquired in-process research and development		$ 60
Non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets		215
Contingent consideration		$ 90
Tendyne Holdings, Inc.
Business acquisitions
Cash paid for business acquisition	$ 225
Additional payments upon completion of certain regulatory milestones	150
Allocation of the fair value
Goodwill, non-deductible	142
Deferred income tax liabilities	(85)
Non-deductible acquired in-process research and development	220
Contingent consideration	$ 70

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015
Goodwill and intangible assets information
Goodwill	$ 7,683	$ 9,638
Goodwill acquired	79
Change in goodwill due to foreign currency translation adjustments	(66)	(454)
Amount of reduction of goodwill relating to impairments	0
Purchase price allocation adjustments associated with acquisitions		$ (117)
Tendyne Holdings, Inc.
Goodwill and intangible assets information
Goodwill			$ 142
Established Pharmaceutical Products
Goodwill and intangible assets information
Goodwill	3,000
Nutritional Products
Goodwill and intangible assets information
Goodwill	286
Diagnostic Products
Goodwill and intangible assets information
Goodwill	452
Vascular Products
Goodwill and intangible assets information
Goodwill	3,000
AMO \| Dispositions held for sale
Goodwill and intangible assets information
Goodwill reclassified to Non-current assets held for disposition	$ 2,000

Goodwill and Intangible Asset62

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Gross amount of amortizable intangible assets	$ 10,400	$ 10,800
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets	6,200	5,700
Increased intangible assets from acquisitions	104
Indefinite-lived intangible assets related to in-process research and development acquired in a business combination	349	419
Impairment charges for certain research and development assets	59
Change in intangible assets due to foreign currency translation and other adjustments	6	$ (251)
Estimated annual amortization expense, intangible assets, 2017	490
Estimated annual amortization expense, intangible assets, 2018	440
Estimated annual amortization expense, intangible assets, 2019	410
Estimated annual amortization expense, intangible assets, 2020	410
Estimated annual amortization expense, intangible assets, 2021	$ 360
Minimum
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Amortization period of intangible assets	2 years
Maximum
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Amortization period of intangible assets	20 years
Average
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Amortization period of intangible assets	10 years
Tendyne Holdings, Inc.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Acquired in-process research and development			$ 220
Dispositions held for sale \| AMO
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Net intangible assets moved to Non-current assets held for disposition	$ 529

Restructuring Plans (Details)

Restructuring Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Restructuring Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Plan 2016, 2015 and 2014
Restructuring costs
Employee related severance and other charges	$ 33	$ 95	$ 164
Restructuring reserve activity
Additional charges for accelerated depreciation	2	45	39
Accrued balance at beginning of year	100	118
Restructuring charges	33	95	164
Payments and other adjustments	(67)	(113)	(46)
Accrued balance at end of year	66	100	118
Restructuring Plan 2016, 2015 and 2014 \| Cost of products sold
Restructuring reserve activity
Restructuring charges	9	18	20
Restructuring Plan 2016, 2015 and 2014 \| Research and development
Restructuring reserve activity
Restructuring charges	5	34	53
Restructuring Plan 2016, 2015 and 2014 \| Selling, general and administrative expense
Restructuring reserve activity
Restructuring charges	19	43	91
Restructuring Plan from 2013 to 2015
Restructuring costs
Employee related severance and other charges	18	66	125
Restructuring reserve activity
Accrued balance at beginning of year	88	135	148
Restructuring charges	18	66	125	$ 78	$ 167
Payments and other adjustments	(90)	(113)	(138)	(97)
Accrued balance at end of year	16	88	135	$ 148
Restructuring Plan from 2013 to 2015 \| Cost of products sold
Restructuring reserve activity
Restructuring charges	4	9	7
Restructuring Plan from 2013 to 2015 \| Research and development
Restructuring reserve activity
Restructuring charges		2	6
Restructuring Plan from 2013 to 2015 \| Selling, general and administrative expense
Restructuring reserve activity
Restructuring charges	$ 14	$ 55	$ 112

Incentive Stock Program (Detail

Incentive Stock Program (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Incentive stock programs, shares reserved for future grants	57,000,000
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period	3 years
Stock Options Outstanding During The Period
Stock options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	34,562,557
Stock options granted during the period (in shares)	7,782,634
Stock options exercised during the period (in shares)	(5,964,433)
Stock options lapsed during the period (in shares)	(492,425)
Stock options outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	35,888,333	34,562,557
Exercisable options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	25,119,505
Exercisable options outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	23,290,260	25,119,505
Stock Options Weighted Average Exercise Price
Stock options outstanding at the beginning of the period, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 31.57
Stock options granted during the period, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	38.44
Stock options exercised during the period, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	23.96
Stock options lapsed during the period, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	43.03
Stock options outstanding at the end of the period, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	34.17	$ 31.57
Exercisable options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	27.18
Exercisable options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 30.48	$ 27.18
Stock Options Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)
Stock options outstanding, weighted-average remaining life	5 years 3 months 18 days	4 years 6 months
Exercisable options, weighted-average remaining life	3 years 6 months	3 years
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding	$ 203
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable	203
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	98	$ 167	$ 152
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 197
Total unrecognized compensation cost, recognition period	3 years
Total non-cash compensation expense charged against income	$ 310	291	239
Tax benefit recognized in total non-cash compensation expense	$ 100	$ 98	$ 79
Fair value of an option granted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.38	$ 6.67	$ 6.39
Fair value assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.40%	1.80%	1.90%
Average life of options (years)	6 years	6 years	6 years
Volatility (as a percent)	17.00%	17.00%	20.00%
Dividend yield (as a percent)	2.70%	2.00%	2.20%
Stock options \| 2009 Incentive Stock Program
Stock Options Outstanding During The Period
Stock options granted during the period (in shares)	7,782,634
Stock options \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Maximum term of option	10 years
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Awards and units granted during period (in shares)	8,370,211
Awards and units outstanding (in shares)	13,705,511	11,855,327
Awards and units outstanding, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 41.03	$ 42.54
Awards and units granted during period, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 38.57
Awards and units vested during period (in shares)	5,842,478
Awards and units vested during period, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 40.50
Awards and units lapsed during period (in shares)	677,549
Awards and units lapsed during period, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 41.63
Fair value of awards and units vested	$ 225	$ 312	$ 281
Restricted stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Portion of awards vesting in any one year for awards that vest over 5 years (as a percent)	33.00%
For awards with a term of five years, number of years in which no more than one-third of the award vests	1 year
Restricted stock awards \| 2009 Incentive Stock Program
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Grants in period, restricted stock (in shares)	776,510
Restricted stock awards \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period	3 years
Restricted stock awards \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period	5 years
Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period	3 years
Number of shares of common stock received for each vested restricted stock unit (in shares)	1
Restricted stock units \| 2009 Incentive Stock Program
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Awards and units granted during period (in shares)	7,593,701

Debt and Lines of Credit (Detai

Debt and Lines of Credit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 04, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument
Unamortized debt issuance costs			$ (117)					$ (21)
Other, including fair value adjustments relating to interest rate hedge contract designated as fair value hedges			(102)					92
Total, net of current maturities			20,681					5,871
Current maturities of long-term debt			3					3
Total carrying amount			20,684					$ 5,874
Debt issued							$ 15,100		$ 2,500
Net loss on extinguishment of debt						$ 18
Extinguishment of long-term debt						$ 500
Principal payments of long-term debt
Principal payments required in 2017			3
Principal payments required in 2018			2
Principal payments required in 2019			3,800
Principal payments required in 2020			1,300
Principal payments required in 2021			2,900
Principal payments required in 2022 and thereafter			12,900
Unused lines of credit			$ 5,000
Weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings (as a percent)			0.60%			0.20%		0.20%
5.125% Notes, due 2019
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 947					$ 947
Interest rate percentage			5.125%					5.125%
2.35% Notes, due 2019
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 2,850
Debt issued							2,850
Interest rate percentage			2.35%
4.125% Notes, due 2020
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 597					$ 597
Interest rate percentage			4.125%					4.125%
2.00% Notes, due 2020
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 750					$ 750
Interest rate percentage			2.00%					2.00%
2.90% Notes, due 2021
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 2,850
Debt issued							2,850
Interest rate percentage			2.90%
2.55% Notes, due 2022
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 750					$ 750
Interest rate percentage			2.55%					2.55%
3.40% Notes, due 2023
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 1,500
Debt issued							1,500
Interest rate percentage			3.40%
2.95% Notes, due 2025
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 1,000					$ 1,000
Interest rate percentage			2.95%					2.95%
3.75% Notes, due 2026
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 3,000
Debt issued							3,000
Interest rate percentage			3.75%
4.75% Notes, due 2036
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 1,650
Debt issued							1,650
Interest rate percentage			4.75%
6.15% Notes, due 2037
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 547					$ 547
Interest rate percentage			6.15%					6.15%
6.0% Notes, due 2039
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 515					$ 515
Interest rate percentage			6.00%					6.00%
5.3% Notes, due 2040
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 694					$ 694
Interest rate percentage			5.30%					5.30%
4.90% Notes, due 2046
Debt Instrument
Total, net of current maturities			$ 3,250
Debt issued							3,250
Interest rate percentage			4.90%
Interest rate swaps
Debt Instrument
Notional amount of contracts entered during the period							3,000		2,500
2.00% Senior Notes Due March 15, 2020
Debt Instrument
Debt issued									$ 750
Interest rate percentage									2.00%
2.55% Senior Notes Due March 15, 2022
Debt Instrument
Debt issued									$ 750
Interest rate percentage									2.55%
2.95% Senior Notes Due March 15, 2025
Debt Instrument
Debt issued									$ 1,000
Interest rate percentage									2.95%
364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility
Debt Instrument
Maximum extension period available automatically					90 days
364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility \| Unfunded Loan Commitment
Debt Instrument
Maturity period				364 days	364 days
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 17,200	$ 9,000
Maximum extension period available automatically					90 days
364-day bridge loan \| Unfunded Loan Commitment
Debt Instrument
Maturity period				364 days
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 15,200
Value of unfunded loan commitment that terminated							$ 15,200
120-day bridge loan \| St Jude Medical
Debt Instrument
Maturity period		120 days	120 days
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 2,000
Proceeds from bridge loan		$ 2,000
Repayments of bridge loan	$ 1,200
120-day bridge loan \| Unfunded Loan Commitment \| St Jude Medical
Debt Instrument
Maturity period				120 days
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 2,000

Financial Instruments, Deriva66

Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures - Derivative Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Assets	$ 284	$ 284	$ 295
Fair Value - Liabilities	610	610	541
Gross unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale equity securities	10	10	$ 171	$ 3
Interest rate swap to 4.125% and 5.125% notes
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Unwounded interest rate swaps	1,500	$ 1,500
Proceeds from unwinding of derivatives	$ 55
4.125% Notes, due 2020
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Interest rate percentage	4.125%	4.125%	4.125%
5.125% Notes, due 2019
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Interest rate percentage	5.125%	5.125%	5.125%
Designated as hedging instrument \| Short-term borrowings
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Liabilities	$ 454	$ 454	$ 439
Designated as hedging instrument \| Short-term borrowings \| Net investment hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Liabilities	454	454	439	445
Designated as hedging instrument \| Interest rate swaps \| Fair value hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount	5,500	5,500	4,000	1,500
Amount of hedge ineffectiveness recorded in income		0	0	0
Designated as hedging instrument \| Interest rate swaps \| Deferred income taxes and other assets \| Fair value hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Assets	8	8	116
Designated as hedging instrument \| Interest rate swaps \| Post-employment obligations and other long-term liabilities \| Fair value hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Liabilities	74	74
Designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Cash flow hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount	2,600	$ 2,600	2,400
Minimum length of time over which accumulated gains and losses will be recognized in Cost of products sold		12 months
Maximum length of time over which accumulated gains and losses will be recognized in Cost of products sold		18 months
Designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Other prepaid expenses and receivables
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Assets	99	$ 99	64
Designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Other accrued liabilities
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Liabilities	15	15	18
Not designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount	14,900	14,900	14,000	$ 14,100
Not designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Other prepaid expenses and receivables
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Assets	177	177	115
Not designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Other accrued liabilities
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Fair Value - Liabilities	67	67	$ 84
Dispositions held for sale \| AMO \| Designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Cash flow hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount	107	107
Dispositions held for sale \| AMO \| Not designated as hedging instrument \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount	$ 1,200	$ 1,200

Financial Instruments, Deriva67

Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures - Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net investment hedges \| Designated as hedging instrument
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Gain (loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (loss)	$ (15)	$ 6	$ 60
Interest rate swaps \| Fair value hedges \| Designated as hedging instrument \| Interest expense
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Income (expense) and Gain (loss) Reclassified into Income	(127)	15	14
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Not designated as hedging instrument \| Net foreign exchange loss (gain)
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Income (expense) and Gain (loss) Reclassified into Income	8	(77)	(122)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Cash flow hedges \| Designated as hedging instrument
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Gain (loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (loss)	49	91	105
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts \| Cash flow hedges \| Designated as hedging instrument \| Cost of products sold
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Income (expense) and Gain (loss) Reclassified into Income	$ 48	$ 124	$ 11

Financial Instruments, Deriva68

Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures - Carrying Values And Fair Values Of Certain Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Investments Securities	$ 2,947	$ 4,041
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts, receivable position	284	295
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts, (payable) position	(610)	(541)
Equity securities
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Investments Securities	2,906	4,014
Carrying Value
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Total long-term debt	(20,684)	(5,874)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts, receivable position	276	179
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts, (payable) position	(82)	(102)
Interest rate hedge contracts, receivable position	8	116
Interest rate hedge contract, (payable) position	(74)
Carrying Value \| Equity securities
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Investments Securities	2,906	4,014
Carrying Value \| Other
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Investments Securities	41	27
Fair Value
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Total long-term debt	(21,147)	(6,337)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts, receivable position	276	179
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts, (payable) position	(82)	(102)
Interest rate hedge contracts, receivable position	8	116
Interest rate hedge contract, (payable) position	(74)
Fair Value \| Equity securities
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Investments Securities	2,906	4,014
Fair Value \| Other
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Investments Securities	$ 42	$ 30

Financial Instruments, Deriva69

Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures - Assets And Liabilities At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Fair Value - Assets	$ 284	$ 295
Fair Value - Liabilities	$ 610	541
Number of business acquisitions resulted in contingent consideration \| item	3
Maximum
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Contingent consideration related to business combinations	$ 450
Recurring
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Equity securities	2,676	3,780
Interest rate swap derivative financial instruments, assets	8	116
Total Assets	2,960	4,075
Fair value of hedged long-term debt	5,413	4,135
Interest rate swap financial instruments	74
Contingent consideration related to business combinations	136	173
Total Liabilities	5,705	4,410
Recurring \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Fair Value - Assets	276	179
Fair Value - Liabilities	82	102
Recurring \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Equity securities	2,676	3,780
Total Assets	2,676	3,780
Recurring \| Significant Other Observable Inputs
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Interest rate swap derivative financial instruments, assets	8	116
Total Assets	284	295
Fair value of hedged long-term debt	5,413	4,135
Interest rate swap financial instruments	74
Total Liabilities	5,569	4,237
Recurring \| Significant Other Observable Inputs \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Fair Value - Assets	276	179
Fair Value - Liabilities	82	102
Recurring \| Significant Unobservable Inputs
Fair value, asset and liability measures
Contingent consideration related to business combinations	136	173
Total Liabilities	$ 136	$ 173

Litigation and Environmental 70

Litigation and Environmental Matters (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Loss Contingencies
Maximum expected cleanup exposure for individual site	$ 4
Maximum expected cleanup exposure in aggregate	10
Other legal proceedings and environmental exposures
Loss Contingencies
Recorded reserve balance for legal proceedings and exposures	40
Other legal proceedings and environmental exposures \| Minimum
Loss Contingencies
Other legal proceedings or environmental exposure	35
Other legal proceedings and environmental exposures \| Maximum
Loss Contingencies
Other legal proceedings or environmental exposure	$ 45

Post-Employment Benefits - Gene

Post-Employment Benefits - General (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Plan assets at fair value:
Plan assets at fair value, balance at the beginning of the period	$ 7,213
Plan assets at fair value, balance at the end of the period	7,958	$ 7,213
Projected benefit obligations greater than plan assets
Long-term liabilities	(2,154)	(2,241)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss):
Projected benefit obligations	2,500	2,100
Accumulated benefit obligations	7,400	6,900
The aggregate accumulated benefit obligations, the projected benefit obligations and the aggregate plan assets
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,485	3,651
Projected benefit obligation	1,697	4,226
Fair value of plan assets	653	$ 2,862
A one percentage point increase / (decrease) in the assumed health care cost
Increase in accumulated post employment benefit obligations due to a one percentage point increase in the assumed health care cost	156
Decrease in accumulated post employment benefit obligations due to a one percentage point decrease in the assumed health care cost	(137)
Increase in the total of service and interest cost components of net post employment health care cost due to a one percentage point increase in the assumed health care cost	12
Decrease in the total of service and interest cost components of net post employment health care cost due to a one percentage point decrease in the assumed health care cost	$ (10)
Defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.80%	4.30%	3.90%
Expected aggregate average long term change in compensation (as a percent)	4.30%	4.40%	4.30%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the net cost
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.30%	3.90%	4.90%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	7.60%	7.40%	7.50%
Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation (as a percent)	4.30%	4.30%	4.90%
Defined Benefit Plans
Defined benefit plan net periodic benefit cost
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$ 263	$ 307	$ 269
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	288	314	317
Expected return on plans' assets	(565)	(511)	(458)
Amortization of actuarial losses	129	184	103
Amortization of prior service cost (credits)		1	2
Net cost	115	295	233
Net amortization of:
Company contributions	582	579
Projected benefit obligations:
Projected benefit obligations, balance at the beginning of the period	7,820	8,345
(Gains) losses, primarily changes in discount rates, plan design changes, law changes and differences between actual and estimated health care costs	645	(574)
Benefits paid	(242)	(230)
Business dispositions		(117)
Other, including foreign currency translation	(257)	(225)
Projected benefit obligations, balance at the end of the period	8,517	7,820	8,345
Plan assets at fair value:
Plan assets at fair value, balance at the beginning of the period	6,772	6,754
Actual return (loss) on plans' assets	631	(56)
Benefits paid	(242)	(230)
Business dispositions		(113)
Other, including foreign currency translation	(201)	(162)
Plan assets at fair value, balance at the end of the period	7,542	6,772	6,754
Projected benefit obligations greater than plan assets
Projected benefit obligations greater than plan assets, December 31	(975)	(1,048)
Long-term assets	340	390
Short-term liabilities	(18)	(17)
Long-term liabilities	(1,297)	(1,421)
Net liability	(975)	(1,048)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss):
Actuarial losses, net	3,301	2,903
Total	3,301	2,903
The aggregate accumulated benefit obligations, the projected benefit obligations and the aggregate plan assets
Net actuarial losses (gains), net of any prior service credits	571	(37)	1,600
Pretax amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), expected to be recognized in the net period benefit cost in 2017
Pretax amount of actuarial losses expected to recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2017	167
Pretax amount of prior service cost (credits) expected to recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2017	1
Defined Benefit Plans \| Discontinued operations
Defined benefit plan net periodic benefit cost
Net cost		3	1
Defined Benefit Plans \| Continuing operations
Defined benefit plan net periodic benefit cost
Net cost	115	292	232
Medical and Dental Plans
Defined benefit plan net periodic benefit cost
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	26	33	33
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations	43	52	63
Expected return on plans' assets	(35)	(39)	(40)
Amortization of actuarial losses	16	23	16
Amortization of prior service cost (credits)	(45)	(48)	(39)
Net cost	5	21	33
Net amortization of:
Company contributions	10	25
Projected benefit obligations:
Projected benefit obligations, balance at the beginning of the period	1,262	1,411
(Gains) losses, primarily changes in discount rates, plan design changes, law changes and differences between actual and estimated health care costs	13	(166)
Benefits paid	(71)	(61)
Other, including foreign currency translation	1	(7)
Projected benefit obligations, balance at the end of the period	1,274	1,262	1,411
Plan assets at fair value:
Plan assets at fair value, balance at the beginning of the period	441	485
Actual return (loss) on plans' assets	28	(14)
Benefits paid	(63)	(55)
Plan assets at fair value, balance at the end of the period	416	441	485
Projected benefit obligations greater than plan assets
Projected benefit obligations greater than plan assets, December 31	(858)	(821)
Short-term liabilities	(1)	(1)
Long-term liabilities	(857)	(820)
Net liability	(858)	(821)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss):
Actuarial losses, net	373	369
Prior service cost (credits)	(254)	(299)
Total	119	70
The aggregate accumulated benefit obligations, the projected benefit obligations and the aggregate plan assets
Net actuarial losses (gains), net of any prior service credits	20	$ (116)	$ 57
Pretax amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), expected to be recognized in the net period benefit cost in 2017
Pretax amount of actuarial losses expected to recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2017	45
Pretax amount of prior service cost (credits) expected to recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2017	$ 24
Assumed health care cost trend rates
Health care cost trend rate assumed for the next year (as a percent)	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Year that rate reaches the assumed ultimate rate	2,027	2,028	2,025
Medical and Dental Plans \| Continuing operations
Defined benefit plan net periodic benefit cost
Net cost	$ 5	$ 21	$ 33

Post-Employment Benefits - Plan

Post-Employment Benefits - Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	$ 7,958	$ 7,213
One-month Libor / Euribor	one-month Libor / Euribor
Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants
Contribution to Abbott Stock Retirement Plan, defined contribution plan	$ 83	81	$ 85
Defined Benefit Plans
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	7,542	6,772	6,754
Defined benefit plan, expected contributions in future	364
Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants
2,017	247
2,018	258
2,019	275
2,020	293
2,021	312
2022 to 2026	1,857
Domestic defined benefit plan
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plan, expected contributions in future	270
Medical and Dental Plans
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	416	441	$ 485
Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants
2,017	67
2,018	68
2,019	70
2,020	72
2,021	75
2022 to 2026	409
U.S. large cap
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	1,889	1,770
U.S. mid cap
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	549	434
International
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	1,345	1,193
U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	437	401
Corporate debt instruments
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	813	731
Non U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	514	497
Other fixed income securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	183	136
Absolute return funds
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	1,891	1,777
Commodities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	84	107
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	100	85
Other
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	153	82
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	2,297	1,789
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| U.S. large cap
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	1,284	1,078
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| U.S. mid cap
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	183	84
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| International
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	356	245
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	5	5
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| Corporate debt instruments
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	100	109
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| Non U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	175	111
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| Other fixed income securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	80	28
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| Absolute return funds
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	106	101
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| Commodities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value		7
Quoted Prices in Active Markets \| Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	8	21
Significant Other Observable Inputs
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	626	517
Significant Other Observable Inputs \| U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	258	203
Significant Other Observable Inputs \| Corporate debt instruments
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	348	299
Significant Other Observable Inputs \| Other fixed income securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	20	14
Significant Other Observable Inputs \| Other
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value		1
Significant Unobservable Inputs
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	12	15
Significant Unobservable Inputs \| Non U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value		2
Significant Unobservable Inputs \| Commodities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	12	13
Measured at NAV
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	5,023	4,892
Measured at NAV \| U.S. large cap
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	605	692
Measured at NAV \| U.S. mid cap
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	366	350
Measured at NAV \| International
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	989	948
Measured at NAV \| U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	174	193
Measured at NAV \| Corporate debt instruments
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	365	323
Measured at NAV \| Non U.S. government securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	339	384
Measured at NAV \| Other fixed income securities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	83	94
Measured at NAV \| Absolute return funds
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	1,785	1,676
Measured at NAV \| Commodities
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	72	87
Measured at NAV \| Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	92	64
Measured at NAV \| Other
Defined benefit plans disclosures
Defined benefit plans' assets at fair value	$ 153	$ 81

Post-Employment Benefits - Net

Post-Employment Benefits - Net Asset Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Unfunded commitments	$ 337	$ 198
Equities \| Minimum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Redemption notice period	2 days
Equities \| Maximum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Redemption notice period	30 days
Fixed Income Securities
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Maximum amount of fund with redemption limit to 25%	$ 100
Maximum redemption fund percentage	25.00%
Fixed Income Securities \| Minimum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Redemption notice period	2 days
Fixed Income Securities \| Maximum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Redemption notice period	14 days
Absolute return funds and commodity \| Minimum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Redemption notice period	5 days
Absolute return funds and commodity \| Maximum
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Redemption notice period	45 days

Taxes on Earnings from Contin74

Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations - Settlements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations
Favorable resolution of various tax positions and other unusual provision items	$ (225)		$ 440
Tax cost related to the disposal of shares		$ 71

Taxes on Earnings from Contin75

Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations - General (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Taxes on Earnings
Undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries	$ 24,000
Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Taxes:
Domestic	306	$ 789	$ 392
Foreign	1,107	2,394	2,126
Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes	1,413	3,183	2,518
Current:
Domestic, current tax	71	64	27
Foreign, current tax	406	220	468
Total current taxes	477	284	495
Deferred:
Domestic, deferred tax	(147)	313	298
Foreign, deferred tax	20	(20)	4
Total deferred taxes	(127)	293	302
Total	$ 350	$ 577	$ 797
Differences between the effective income tax rate and the U.S. statutory tax rate:
Statutory tax rate on earnings from continuing operations (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Impact of foreign operations (as a percent)	(17.80%)	(18.20%)	0.70%
Resolution of certain tax positions pertaining to prior years (as a percent)	(16.10%)		(4.20%)
Mylan share adjustment	25.50%
State taxes, net of federal benefit (as a percent)	(1.30%)	0.30%	(0.50%)
Federal tax cost on sale of Mylan N.V. shares (as a percent)		2.20%
All other, net (as a percent)	(0.50%)	(1.20%)	0.60%
Effective tax rate on earnings from continuing operations (as a percent)	24.80%	18.10%	31.60%
Deferred tax assets:
Compensation and employee benefits	$ 1,061	$ 992
Other, primarily reserves not currently deductible, and NOL's and credit carryforwards	2,384	2,657
Trade receivable reserves	207	197
Inventory reserves	157	141
Deferred intercompany profit	231	276
State income taxes	164	206
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	4,204	4,469
Valuation allowance	(189)	(86)
Total deferred tax assets	4,015	4,383
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(152)	(118)
Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	(175)	(694)
Other, primarily the excess of book basis over tax basis of intangible assets	(2,018)	(1,942)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(2,345)	(2,754)
Total net deferred tax assets	1,670	1,629
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,438	1,403
Increase due to current year tax positions	145	234
Increase due to prior year tax positions	101	95
Decrease due to prior year tax positions	(703)	(169)
Settlements	(9)	(125)
Balance at the end of the period	972	$ 1,438	$ 1,403
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	925
Minimum
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Decrease reasonably possible in gross unrecognized tax benefits	100
Maximum
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Decrease reasonably possible in gross unrecognized tax benefits	$ 250

Segment and Geographical Area I

Segment and Geographical Area Information - General (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 5,333	$ 5,302	$ 5,333	$ 4,885	$ 5,188	$ 5,150	$ 5,170	$ 4,897	$ 20,853	$ 20,405	$ 20,247
Operating Earnings									3,185	2,867	2,599
Depreciation									803	871	918
Additions to Long-term Assets									1,366	1,354	5,290
Total Assets	52,666				41,247				52,666	41,247	41,207
Other
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									2,386	2,272	2,469
Depreciation									236	247	275
Additions to Long-term Assets									582	747	4,603
Total Reportable Segments
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									18,467	18,133	17,778
Operating Earnings									4,614	4,631	4,253
Depreciation									567	624	643
Additions to Long-term Assets									784	607	687
Total Assets	10,045				9,777				10,045	9,777	10,172
Total Reportable Segments \| Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									3,859	3,720	3,118
Operating Earnings									723	658	624
Depreciation									71	83	72
Additions to Long-term Assets									161	112	136
Total Assets	2,486				2,210				2,486	2,210	2,244
Total Reportable Segments \| Nutritional Products
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									6,899	6,975	6,953
Operating Earnings									1,660	1,741	1,459
Depreciation									160	157	173
Additions to Long-term Assets									207	142	174
Total Assets	3,189				3,187				3,189	3,187	3,435
Total Reportable Segments \| Diagnostic Products
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									4,813	4,646	4,721
Operating Earnings									1,194	1,171	1,079
Depreciation									267	310	314
Additions to Long-term Assets									392	321	349
Total Assets	2,945				2,844				2,945	2,844	2,964
Total Reportable Segments \| Vascular Products
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									2,896	2,792	2,986
Operating Earnings									1,037	1,061	1,091
Depreciation									69	74	84
Additions to Long-term Assets									24	32	28
Total Assets	$ 1,425				$ 1,536				$ 1,425	$ 1,536	$ 1,529

Segment and Geographical Area77

Segment and Geographical Area Information - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Operating Earnings	$ 3,185	$ 2,867	$ 2,599
Net loss on extinguishment of debt			(18)
Amortization of intangible assets	(550)	(601)	(555)
Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes	1,413	3,183	2,518
Mylan N.V. equity investment adjustment	947
Foreign currency exchange loss on remeasurement	480
Gain on sale of Mylan shares		207
Segment assets:
Total Assets	52,666	41,247	41,207
Non-reportable segment
Segment assets:
Total Assets	1,280	1,267	1,211
Total Reportable Segments
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Operating Earnings	4,614	4,631	4,253
Segment assets:
Total Assets	10,045	9,777	10,172
Corporate functions
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Corporate functions and benefit plans costs	(411)	(416)	(342)
Reconciling items
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Operating Earnings	304	268	439
Net interest expense	(332)	(58)	(73)
Net loss on extinguishment of debt			(18)
Share-based compensation	(310)	(291)	(239)
Amortization of intangible assets	(550)	(601)	(555)
Other, net	(1,902)	(350)	(947)
Mylan N.V. equity investment adjustment	947
Foreign currency exchange loss on remeasurement	480
Gain on sale of Mylan shares		207
Separation related costs and cost reduction initiatives and integration	155	310	435
Segment assets:
Cash and investments	21,722	10,166	4,689
Goodwill and intangible assets	12,222	15,200	16,265
All other	$ 7,397	$ 4,837	$ 8,870

Segment and Geographic Area I78

Segment and Geographic Area Information - Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 5,333	$ 5,302	$ 5,333	$ 4,885	$ 5,188	$ 5,150	$ 5,170	$ 4,897	$ 20,853	$ 20,405	$ 20,247
Long-lived assets	6,600				6,400				6,600	6,400
United States
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									6,486	6,270	6,123
Long-lived assets	$ 3,100				$ 3,100				3,100	3,100
China
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									1,728	1,796	1,321
India
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									1,114	1,053	1,009
Germany
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									1,044	1,004	978
Japan
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									924	895	968
The Netherlands
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									830	855	788
Switzerland
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									766	784	707
Russia
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									554	483	536
Vietnam
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									434	331	357
Colombia
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									424	388	283
Brazil
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									410	381	508
Canada
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									408	428	462
United Kingdom
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									377	430	447
Italy
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									365	383	436
All Other Countries
Segment and Geographical Area Information
Net Sales to External Customers									$ 4,989	$ 4,924	$ 5,324

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)79

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Sales	$ 5,333	$ 5,302	$ 5,333	$ 4,885	$ 5,188	$ 5,150	$ 5,170	$ 4,897	$ 20,853	$ 20,405	$ 20,247
Gross Profit	2,900	2,877	2,901	2,601	2,839	2,757	2,801	2,660
Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$ 875	$ (357)	$ 599	$ 56	$ 695	$ 596	$ 786	$ 529	$ 1,063	$ 2,606	$ 1,721
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share	$ 0.51	$ (0.24)	$ 0.40	$ 0.04	$ 0.46	$ 0.40	$ 0.52	$ 0.35	$ 0.71	$ 1.73	$ 1.13
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share	$ 0.51	$ (0.24)	$ 0.40	$ 0.04	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 0.52	$ 0.35	$ 0.71	$ 1.72	$ 1.12
Net Earnings (Loss)	$ 798	$ (329)	$ 615	$ 316	$ 767	$ 580	$ 784	$ 2,292	$ 1,400	$ 4,423	$ 2,284
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.54	$ (0.22)	$ 0.41	$ 0.21	$ 0.51	$ 0.39	$ 0.52	$ 1.52	$ 0.94	$ 2.94	$ 1.50
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share)	0.53	(0.22)	0.41	0.21	0.51	0.38	0.52	1.51	0.94	2.92	$ 1.49
Maximum
Market Price Per Share	43.78	45.79	44.58	44.05	46.38	51.74	50.47	47.88	43.78	46.38
Minimum
Market Price Per Share	$ 37.38	$ 39.16	$ 36.76	$ 36	$ 39.28	$ 39	$ 45.55	$ 43.36	$ 37.38	$ 39.28

Schedule II Valuation and Qua80

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 337	$ 310	$ 312
Provisions/Charges to Income	92	225	220
Amounts Charged Off and Other Deductions	(179)	(198)	(222)
Balance at End of Year	$ 250	$ 337	$ 310