Lifetime Costs of Obesity
Melanie Matthews
new study by the National Institute for Public Health and the
Environment in the Netherlands, which sought to create a mathematical
model to determine if reducing obesity would also reduce national
healthcare spending.
What the researchers found that preventing obesity might actually
result in increased public spending on medical care. The researchers
found that healthy, never-smoking individuals had the highest lifetime
healthcare
costs, because they lived the longest and developed diseases
associated with
aging; healthcare costs were lowest for the smokers, and intermediate
for the
group of obese never-smokers.
The authors do argue that although obesity prevention may not be
a cure for increasing expenditures, it may well be a cost-effective
cure for much morbidity and mortality and importantly contribute to
the health of nations. For more details, visit:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204212858.htm
Would appreciate any insight and or comments from the group on
this model.
Thanks in advance,
Melanie Matthews
Health Coaching Group Moderator
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Melanie Matthews
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Healthcare Intelligence Network
(732) 528-4468
1913 Atlantic Avenue Suite F4
Manasquan, NJ 08736
www.hin.com
mmat...@hin.com
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Mcpeck, William C
1. As with any simulation model, one has to trust that the mathematical
model was constructed accurately and correctly and that it accounts and
controls for all the various health and health related issues and cost
variables out there. Also and maybe more importantly, that the model is
based on real life.
2. One has to also trust that the data fed into the model was accurate
and the best available.
3. When applying the model's outcomes to the U.S. population, one has to
also make the assumption that the model and data are as applicable to
the U.S. population as it is to the Dutch population.
4. For me, the most significant finding was that the model actually
proves that obesity prevention can impact on costs, at least up to the
age of 56. The model found that "Until age 56 years, annual health
expenditure was the highest for obese people." While this may not be a
significant point in the Netherlands with its publicly funded healthcare
system, I believe this is a significant point for the U.S. with its
privately funded healthcare system (at least up to age 65). The primary
funding of the private healthcare system in the U.S. is primarily
employer funded health insurance. So if through obesity prevention we
can impact employer related healthcare (health insurance) costs that, to
me, is certainly a worthwhile goal.
As health coaches and health educators, we also all know the value of
quality of life. If through obesity prevention we can impact the chronic
diseases associated with obesity, this will (according to the model) not
only save money, but it should also enhance the individual's quality of
life which is an equally admirable goal. Research has also clearly
demonstrated a strong association between health and productivity, which
is also a cost measure that needs to be considered when considering the
big picture here in the U.S.
Bill McPeck
William McPeck
Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant
Work-Life Certified Professional
Certified Health Promotion Director
Director, Employee Health and Safety
Maine State Government
207-287-6780 (voice)
207-287-6796 (fax)
william....@maine.gov
Through our worksite wellness program, Maine State Government is leading
the way towards making Maine the healthiest state in the nation.