Center for American Progress: How Health Reform Helps Address the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

In a recent report from the Center for American Progress, the authors Ellen-Marie Whelan and Sonia Sekhar look at the far-reaching consequences of obesity. Titled ‘Tackling the Obesity Epidemic: How Health Reform Helps Address the Childhood Obesity Epidemic,’ the document organizes the information in an easy-to-understand format that addresses different aspects of obesity’s role in health reform.

 

SOURCE: AP/Mike Derer

 Here’s an example:  

Fact  

Prevention is critical to fighting obesity. 

Obesity has likely accounted for up to $147 billion annually in direct care costs in recent years. (6) Indirect costs of obesity include worker absenteeism, which is estimated to cost $4.3 billion annually, and lower worker productivity, which costs $506 per obese worker per year. (7) 

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provisions  

The new law has many provisions that support and promote an emphasis on prevention in general. Each of these provisions should focus on and maximize efforts to reduce obesity:
All health plans including Medicaid and Medicare must cover preventive services without co-pays and deductibles. (Sec. 1001)
Two new taskforces—the Preventive Services Task Force and Community Preventive Services Task Force—will examine evidence and promote effective preventive services. (Sec 4003)
A new Prevention and Public Health Fund will ensure funding for prevention programs. (Sec. 4002)
The National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council will coordinate the promotion of prevention initiatives across government departments and agencies. (Sec. 4001) 

 Results 

A recent report found that investing $10 per person in activities that focus on improving health status and preventing the development of chronic diseases could save the country more than $16 billion annually—mostly from reduced health care expenditures. (8) 

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Check out the full report here: Center for American Progress    I think the way this five-page report is designed makes it easy to understand some basic fundamental changes that need to occur to change childhood obesity rates within the United States. I also like how the article covers a variety of topics like breast-feeding, collaboration in communities, prevention, and higher obesity prevalence in certain communities. Check it out and give your input!

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