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Recent Studies And Surveys
Health Affairs: Annual Medical Spending Attributable to Obesity: Payer- and Service-Specific Estimates -- Using data from 1998 and 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS) - "a nationally representative survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized population that quantifies a person"s total annual medical spending by type of service and of payment" - the authors estimate the health cost of obesity in the U.S. is $147 billion. "Across all payers, per capita medical spending for the obese is $1,429 higher per year, or roughly 42 percent higher, than for someone of normal weight. In aggregate, the annual medical burden of obesity has increased from 6.5 percent to 9.1 percent of annual medical spending and could be as high as $147 billion per year (in 2008 dollars) based on the NHEA [National Health Expenditure Accounts] estimate," according to the study. In conclusion, the authors write, "The take-home message is that without a strong and sustained reduction in obesity prevalence, obesity will continue to impose major costs on the health system for the foreseeable future. And although health reform may be necessary to address health inequities and rein in rising health spending, real savings are more likely to be achieved through reforms that reduce the prevalence of obesity and related risk factors, including poor diet and inactivity" (7/27).
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The Dangers Of Stimulant Chewing Gum
A case report written by Dr Francesco Natale and his colleagues, from the Second University of Naples and Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy, reports on the dangers of stimulant chewing gums containing caffeine. The report published in this week÷´s edition of The Lancet describes the story of a teenage boy hospitalized after excessive consumption of this type of product. The authors warn about the high risks of stimulant chewing gums that are widely available to children.
News of the day
Couples To Rely On Male Contraceptive For New Trial, UK
Couples are being asked to replace their usual form of birth control with a new male contraceptive in a study to test its effectiveness.
Nutrition

The European Biotech Industry Applauds UK Efforts To Place Industrial Biotech At The Center Of A Low Carbon Economy

EuropaBio, the European biotech industry association applauds the report "IB 2025: Maximising UK Opportunities from Industrial Biotechnology in a Low Carbon Economy" (1) released today by the UK"s Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). The biotech industry welcomes the report which is completely in line with the EU"s Lead Market Initiative for Biobased Products (2). EuropaBio is also pleased to note that the report also embraces EuropaBio"s policy recommendations (3) developed to help the EU realise the vision of a Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE). "A competitive European Knowledge-based Bioeconomy can only be realised when the European Union and the member states put a coherent policy framework in place. What has been done in the UK will motivate industry to continue investment in this emerging and innovative industrial sector" said Dirk Carrez, EuropaBio"s Director, Industrial Biotechnology. Over the last two years the biotech industry has supported the European Commission to work out a set of concrete steps to realise the vision of a Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE), where biotechnology"s new, clean, energy-efficient processes and innovative biobased products create a sustainable industrial base to ensure Europe"s future prosperity. EuropaBio"s "Industrial Biotechnology Policy Agenda for Europe" (3) produced an outline of policy recommendations to develop a competitive KBBE in Europe, but recognized that in order for these recommendations to be implemented, political support was needed. "EuropaBio is pleased to note the support these recommendations have received from the UK government" said Willy De Greef, EuropaBio"s Secretary General. "Developing an innovation driven economy is at the core of the Lisbon partnership. It is only with support of the member states that the vision to support growth and jobs in Europe by stimulating innovation can be realized." Notes (1) IB 2025: Maximising UK Opportunities from Industrial Biotechnology in a Low Carbon Economy See here. (2) The Commission Website on the Lead Market Initiative (3) Industrial Biotechnology Policy Agenda for Europe EuropaBio


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