USC Report: Tackling Chronic Conditions Can Save Billions
A new report by researchers from the University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Harvard University's School of Public Health and RAND suggests that reducing the rates of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure among middle-age U.S. adults could save Medicare and Medicaid as much as $632 billion by 2050. The report -- published this month in the journal Social Science & Medicine -- also suggests that addressing these chronic conditions could raise life expectancy. The researchers noted that the health status of people in their 50s plays a key role in their medical needs and costs of care.
- "Why Americans Live Shorter Lives" (United Press International, 7/28)
- "Raising U.S. Life Expectancy Could Save $632 Billion" (USC News release, 7/28).