Study Suggesting That Prevention of Obesity and Smoking Doesn't Cost Less Defies Reality
A Healthier America is a Less Expensive America
WASHINGTON, D.C. [Feb. 7, 2008] - The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) called the new finding from Netherlands' National Institute for Public Health and the Environment that prevention of obesity and smoking mortalities may not reduce long-term health care costs, flawed at best and possibly dangerous. In fact, several studies recently published in the U.S. have reached exactly the opposite conclusions.
“There have been several studies showing that the lifetime health care costs for a normal weight adult are significantly less than for obese individuals,” said PFCD Executive Director Ken Thorpe. “Clearly, there is value in improving prevention and management of common chronic conditions.”
For example, according to research from the Rand Corporation, and newly published work by University of Florida researchers, the lifetime health care costs of normal weight adults with no comorbidities are 20 to 40 percent lower than obese adults and adults with one or more comorbid conditions. This lower spending occurs despite the fact that healthier, normal weight adults live longer lives than obese adults with multiple comorbid conditions.
In addition to lowering health care costs, Dr. Thorpe suggests it is equally important to consider the broader implications of curbing unhealthy behaviors on the economy and quality of life. “When people are healthier, they are more likely to be productive members of the workforce, and this has benefits for the long-term health of the economy. Further, healthier people are generally happier and live longer, and this has intrinsic value to those individuals and their family members and friends."
About the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease:
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a national coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs in the U.S.: chronic disease.
The PFCD's mission is to:
- Challenge policymakers - in particular, the 2008 presidential candidates - to make the issue of chronic disease a top priority and articulate how they will address the issue through their health care proposals
- Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals, communities, and the nation
- Mobilize Americans to call for change in how policymakers, governments, employers, health institutions, and other entities approach chronic disease
Leaders in the effort represent more than 85 leading organizations from across health care, business and labor including Aetna, American Academy of Family Physicians, Alliance for Aging Research, American Academy of Physician Assistants, American College of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Hospital Association, American Pharmacists Association Foundation, Disease Management Association of America, Kerr Drug, Integrated Benefits Institute, International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, NAACP, Milken Institute, National Association of Manufacturers, National Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Service Employees International Union, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and YMCA of the USA, among others.
For more information about the PFCD and its partner organizations, please visit: http://www.fightchronicdisease.org.
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