A new study by Emory University health care economist Ken Thorpe, PH.D. has been released on the impact of obesity to the health care cost in the US by 2018. The study shows that if the current trend of obesity in the US continues, obesity will cost the US $344 billion.
The results of the study are published in the report, "The Future Cost of Obesity: National and State Estimates of the Impact of Obesity on Direct Health Care Expenses." The United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention sponsored the study.
The study estimates that obesity will account for 21% of health care spending in 2018. At the current rate of increase of obesity in the US, 43% American adults will be obese.
A person is considered obese if they are 30 pounds or more overweight. Obesity is a major factor in many chronic diseases; such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The study estimates that six states will have more than 50% of their population be considered obese. These states are: Oklahoma(56.1%), Mississippi(52.1), Maryland(52.1%), Kentucky(51.2%), Ohio(50.9%), South Dakota (50.4%).
Colorado(29.8%), Virginia(33.4%), Connecticut(33.6%) and Massachusetts(33.9%) are the only states expected to have less than 35% of their population be obese.
Congress is currently debating reforming health care in the US and how to control the cost. This new study clearly shows the nation needs to address the obesity issue if health care cost is to be controlled. Otherwise, close to half of the adults in the US will be obese and the cost for their health care will be in the hundreds of billions.
Written by Denise Clay
Exclusive to HULIQ
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