Smokers, the obese saving U.S. health care dollars
Filed under: Food, Insurance, Health
As one of a very buoyant build, I was interested to read an AP report this week of results of a study that contradicts the commonly-held assumption that fat people and smokers soak up an unfair proportion of public health dollars. In fact, the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment found that these populations run up less health care costs than the average citizen. The reason? We die sooner.
During the time we are alive, however, the obese and the nicotine-addicted do require more health care than others, with obesity the more expensive of the two. However, life expectancy of smokers is seven years less, the obese four years less than the svelte non-smoker.
Total projected life health expenses for smokers were projected at $326,000, the obese at $371,000, while the fit will rack up $417,000 in medical bills. These figures are based on the Dutch health care system, but should hold true in proportion to the U.S. system.
So show a little respect for those of us committing suicide by smoke, or hari-kari by Ho-ho. Without us, your health care costs could skyrocket.
See also
Should fat people be banned from restaurants?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-06-2008 @ 12:55PM
Gary E. Sattler said...
Additionally, smokers have been padding the tax coffers for quite some time. When we all quit, who'll replace those funds?
Smile at a smoker today. He's lowering YOUR tax bill.
Reply
2-07-2008 @ 3:11PM
Elson Silva PhD said...
Free Fruits on Public Areas to Curb Spreading Obesity
Fruits are low in calories and highly nutritional already grown on public places at increasing ratios to face obesity trends. Tree climbing also can be a body exercise for kids harvesting fruits.
Fruits have around four times more water content than cookies and easily satisfy hunger taking less energy. Refrigerators full of fruits easily beat junkies.
In Brazil we are increasing fruit trees in the public areas changing the country to a large tropical orchard. Then, sidewalks, squares, parks, roadsides will be plenty of free fruits bearing appropriate food to fight spreading obesity. Free fruits are protected from the power of the economic system pursuing profitability.
Other countries are invited to join us on a fight against global obesity toward a Public Fructification. Brazil intends to become a developed country without common problems of a superpower.
Planting fruit trees is easy!.
http://revver.com/watch/225528
http://revver.com/watch/529604
Carnivores?
http://revver.com/watch/218695
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