Comments on: Will giving weight-loss prizes to the obese save the NHS money? http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/ An unbiased look at today's health care issues Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:15:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Healthcare Economist · Junk food tax and Pringles http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-162030 Healthcare Economist · Junk food tax and Pringles Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:18:31 +0000 http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-162030 [...] costs each year, those who are extremely overweight also have lower life expectancy. According to a PLoS study, obese individuals actually cost the NHS less money due to their lower life [...] [...] costs each year, those who are extremely overweight also have lower life expectancy. According to a PLoS study, obese individuals actually cost the NHS less money due to their lower life [...]

]]> By: Richard Morden http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-152993 Richard Morden Mon, 12 May 2008 03:25:01 +0000 http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-152993 There is no fast or simple answer to obesity however with current rising health care cost governments need to promote a variety of programs in hopes to reach some of the population. Sometimes more money will be spent then saved by some of the programs but it's the trickle effect that will spread along the path of some of the masses. There is no fast or simple answer to obesity however with current rising health care cost governments need to promote a variety of programs in hopes to reach some of the population. Sometimes more money will be spent then saved by some of the programs but it’s the trickle effect that will spread along the path of some of the masses.

]]> By: Healthcare Economist · Ending obesity will save $487 billion…really? http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-151063 Healthcare Economist · Ending obesity will save $487 billion…really? Thu, 01 May 2008 05:59:37 +0000 http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-151063 [...] Lower obesity rates likely would decrease disease rates. But just because there is a correlation between obesity and disease rates, doesn’t mean that obesity is the causal factor. It could be that individuals who are obese are also more disease-prone and this would be the case even if they lose weight. Still, on an annual basis, healthier living of course does decrease medical costs. Over a lifetime, however, healthier lifestyles and reduced obesity may actually increase medical costs (see 12 Feb 2008 post). [...] [...] Lower obesity rates likely would decrease disease rates. But just because there is a correlation between obesity and disease rates, doesn’t mean that obesity is the causal factor. It could be that individuals who are obese are also more disease-prone and this would be the case even if they lose weight. Still, on an annual basis, healthier living of course does decrease medical costs. Over a lifetime, however, healthier lifestyles and reduced obesity may actually increase medical costs (see 12 Feb 2008 post). [...]

]]> By: Vieng http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-133866 Vieng Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:58:26 +0000 http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/02/12/will-giving-weight-loss-prizes-to-the-obese-save-the-nhs-money/#comment-133866 I haven't read the article yet, so maybe this posting is premature. Did they look at the benefit to society/government in having healthier citizens? Sure, healthier people live longer and will probably incur more medical debt over their entire life time, but doesn't that also mean that they will have more productive working days etc than the average 'sickly' person (obese person with severe complications from diabetes or smoker that is out at least a week a month with severe pneumonia only to die of lung cancer). It seems a little cold and calloused to say that we should just let people choose their own early death. I understand that we have to take personal responsibility for our actions, but if 'vices' can be incentivized (burger is cheaper than an apple) why not healthcare? I haven’t read the article yet, so maybe this posting is premature.
Did they look at the benefit to society/government in having healthier citizens? Sure, healthier people live longer and will probably incur more medical debt over their entire life time, but doesn’t that also mean that they will have more productive working days etc than the average ’sickly’ person (obese person with severe complications from diabetes or smoker that is out at least a week a month with severe pneumonia only to die of lung cancer).

It seems a little cold and calloused to say that we should just let people choose their own early death. I understand that we have to take personal responsibility for our actions, but if ‘vices’ can be incentivized (burger is cheaper than an apple) why not healthcare?

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