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Monster’s Blog
Packing on the pounds.
According to an interview by ABC News, if Americans continue to pack on the pounds at the rate they are now, the cost will be about $344 billion in medical-related expenses by 2018. Did you hear that folks? Obesity-related costs will be 21% of our total medical costs in a little less than 10 years. That’s pretty unbelievable.
These numbers are based on projections that 43% of American adults may be obese (that’s 30 or more pounds over healthy weight). All that extra weight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancer.
Kenneth Thorpe, chairman of the department of health policy at Emory University puts it this way. “Obesity is going to be a leading driver in rising health-care costs. An obese person will have an average of $8,315 in medical bills a year in 2018 compared with $5,855 for an adult at a healthy weight. That’s a difference of $2,460.”
How do we fix our obesity problem?
Many argue that obesity is a personal choice, something that doesn’t affect others. But what about healthcare costs? Pretty apropos numbers while the government continues to debate how to handle the healthcare crisis. People have suggested a multitude of solutions from taxing sugary/fatty/salty foods to taking away coverage from people who refuse to change their lifestyle to forcing fast food restaurants to change their menus. What do you think is the solution to the American obesity epidemic?
3 Responses to “Obesity Will Soon Cost U.S. $344 Billion a Year”
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Comment # 1 by: Peter SmithNovember 20th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
we need livable streets, of course. nobody is going to want to walk or bike in places that are not conducive to walking or biking — so people drive — it’s their only option.
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Comment # 2 by: melanieDecember 2nd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
@Peter Smith - I completely agree with you. Houston is a picture-perfect pedestrian unfriendly city, and it is not uncommon for people to get run over. We certainly do need safer streets and better urban planning to get people out and moving.
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Comment # 3 by: Dr Eitan SchwarzDecember 4th, 2009 at 9:14 am
The problem requires approaches on many fronts… Whether in food or media consumption, consumer behavior is closely managed by industry merchandisers. These are powerful and necessary engines of our economy. However, like the tobacco industry, governments acting for the common good should have a role in regulation and mounting public health campaigns akin to the anti-smoking, drunk driving, gambling, ada, drug abuse, breast cancer awareness, etc. that have made important differences.
I believe that government control should be limited. The argument that obesity is a result of illnesses or addictions is not trivial, and should be considered seriously.
But consumers who choose to abuse their health should somehow shoulder more of the burden they cause — pay back their share back to public or somehow pay more for insurance so that all of us do not have to pay for risks they take. Possibly in the form of consumption taxes (as alcohol, tobacco, vehicle use, etc.)
There are some vulnerable groups that would benefit from coordination of government, industry, and public health agencies and self-help groups. Child advocates and educators are also stake-holders that need to coordinate their efforts and look at this issue through the lens of childhood and the family. School-based campaigns akin to drug abuse, health, home ec, and sex education need development to target future generations. Private social service and government health services to the underclasses, should be intensified for this vulnerable group too.
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