July 1, 2009

The United States of Obesity

Health economists once made the harsh financial calculation that the obese would save money by dying sooner, notes Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust, a nonprofit public health group. But more recent research instead suggests they live nearly as long but are much sicker for longer, requiring such costly interventions as knee replacements and diabetes care and dialysis. Studies show Medicare spends anywhere from $1,400 to $6,000 more annually on health care for an obese senior than for the non-obese.

Thanks, Grist.

posted by in economics, education, health, nutrition, the world come of age | * | 1 comment 

comments

  1. Kelsey Parker on July 1st, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    Obesity is costing education a lot too.

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