Obesity may push U.S health costs above Europe

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :02/10/2007 17:16:54

New research shows nearly twice as many U.S adults are obese compared to their European counterparts.

Americans are found to suffer more often from cancer, diabetes and other chronic ailments.

Treatment for these chronic diseases are adding on average an extra $100billion and $150 billion to the United States taxpayers.

The report published by online in the journal Health Affairs compared U.S and European health.

The United States spends per capita on health care, about $2 trillion annually. The report also made a link to higher U.S prices for medical treatment.

The shocking statistics revealed, 33 percent of Americans are obese compared with 17 percent in 10 European countries. More than half of Americans are former or current smokers, compared with about 43 percent in the European sample.

Smoking and obesity was found to be a significant factor in a sicker population.

October 2 2007

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