Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Releases Report on the Long-Term Returns of Obesity Prevention Policies

The Long-Term Returns of Obesity Prevention Policies

By: Brill A
Publisher: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Published: 4/24/2013

Key finding from the report include:

• Obesity screening by physicians, which is recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and covered by Medicare and many private health insurers pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), could yield as much as $44 billion in long-term federal savings.
• The S-CHIP childhood obesity demonstration project, which combines changes in preventive care at doctor visits with community and school efforts to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in low-income communities, could produce as much as $41 billion in long-term federal savings.
• Long-term federal savings from bringing the community-based, Diabetes Prevention Program to scale may amount to as much as $18.4 billion. The program, which already has demonstrated effectiveness, helps participants set weight loss goals, increase physical activity and implement healthy eating habits.
• Coverage of certain weight-loss drugs under Medicare Part D could yield long-term federal savings of as much as $11.4 billion.

For the full article and access to the report, visit their website The Long-Term Returns of Obesity Prevention Policies.