Document Detail


Cost associated with being overweight and with obesity, high alcohol consumption, and tobacco use within the military health system's TRICARE prime-enrolled population.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18019889     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE: To estimate medical and indirect costs to the Department of Defense (DoD) that are associated with tobacco use, being overweight or obese, and high alcohol consumption. DESIGN: Retrospective, quantitative research. SETTING: Healthcare provided in military treatment facilities and by providers participating in the military health system. SUBJECTS: The 4.3 million beneficiaries under age 65 years who were enrolled in the military TRICARE Prime health plan option in 2006. MEASURES: The findings come from a cost-of-disease model developed by combining information from DoD and civilian health surveys and studies; DoD healthcare encounter data for 4.1 million beneficiaries; and epidemiology literature on the increased risk of comorbidities from unhealthy behaviors. RESULTS: DoD spends an estimated $2.1 billion per year for medical care associated with tobacco use ($564 million), excess weight and obesity ($1.1 billion), and high alcohol consumption ($425 million). DoD incurs nonmedical costs related to tobacco use, excess weight and obesity, and high alcohol consumption in excess of $965 million per year. CONCLUSION: Unhealthy lifestyles are significant contributors to the cost of providing healthcare services to the nation's military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. The continued rise in healthcare costs could impact other DoD programs and could potentially affect areas related to military capability and readiness. In 2006, DoD initiated Healthy Choices for Life initiatives to address the high cost of unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors, and the DoD continues to monitor lifestyle trends through the DoD Lifestyle Assessment Program.
Authors:
Timothy M Dall; Yiduo Zhang; Yaozhu J Chen; Rachel C Askarinam Wagner; Paul F Hogan; Nancy K Fagan; Samuel T Olaiya; David N Tornberg
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of health promotion : AJHP     Volume:  22     ISSN:  0890-1171     ISO Abbreviation:  Am J Health Promot     Publication Date:    2007 Nov-Dec
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-11-19     Completed Date:  2008-01-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8701680     Medline TA:  Am J Health Promot     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  120-39     Citation Subset:  T    
Affiliation:
The Lewin Group, 3130 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 800, Falls Church, VA 22042, USA. tim.dall@lewin.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Alcohol Drinking / economics*
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Health Behavior
Health Care Costs
Health Promotion
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Life Style
Male
Middle Aged
Military Medicine*
Military Personnel*
Obesity / economics*
Overweight / economics*
Qualitative Research
Retrospective Studies
Risk
Social Marketing
Tobacco Use Disorder / economics*
United States

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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