The Elephant in the Room: The American Way of Eating

Strategic Insights -

The health care debate in America focuses on reforming the system itself, tackling inefficiencies, and addressing the exorbitant costs. However, a recent study points out that the high spending on health care can be attributed to the unhealthier American diet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three-quarters of health care spending goes towards treating preventable chronic diseases, many of which are linked to diet. This analysis argues that the government's farm policies inadvertently encourage America's fast-food diet, putting itself in the uncomfortable position of subsidizing both the treatment costs and the consumption of unhealthy food.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $2.3 trillion spent on health care in the United States can be significantly explained by the diet, with the majority of health care spending going towards treating preventable chronic diseases linked to diet.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that three-quarters of health care spending goes towards treating preventable chronic diseases, many of which are linked to diet.
  • The American way of eating has become the "elephant in the room" in the debate over health care, with the government potentially subsidizing both the treatment costs and the consumption of unhealthy food.
  • The relationship between the health care industry and the food industry will undergo a sea change when health insurance companies can no longer evade much of the cost of treating the collateral damage of the American diet.
  • Insurers will soon discover a powerful interest in reducing rates of obesity and chronic diseases linked to diet, making them a powerful ally in reforming the food system.
  • AGRIBUSINESS dominates the agriculture committees of Congress, but the health insurance industry is poised to become involved in the fight over the farm bill to prioritize public health.
  • The industry may support public education efforts, like New York City's ad campaign against drinking soda, and could even advocate for a soda tax.
  • School reform and regional food systems that make fresh produce more available and reduce dependence on processed food could help prevent chronic disease and reduce costs.
  • Promoting regional food systems, also known as a "foodshed," could be key to improving the American diet.
  • Even a limited health care reform bill could force the industry and government to address the elephant in the room and spark a movement to slim it down.

Statistics:

  • $2.3 trillion: the amount of money spent on health care in the United States per year
  • 75%: the amount of health care spending that goes towards treating preventable chronic diseases
  • 30%: the estimated increase in health care spending attributed to the soaring rate of obesity
  • $147 billion: the amount of money spent on treating obesity
  • $116 billion: the amount of money spent on treating diabetes
  • $6,600: the additional health care costs per year for a patient with Type 2 diabetes
  • $400,000: the estimated lifetime cost of treating a patient with Type 2 diabetes

Sources:

  • "A Study on the Relationship Between Health Care Spending and Diet" (no date)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • UnitedHealthcare Foundation
  • New York City's ad campaign against drinking soda (no date)