[PHNUTR-L] Six Illnesses Common Among Older Americans Cost $196 Billion

[Kathrynne Holden]

Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own
opinion. I have no further knowledge of the topic. If you do not wish to
receive these posts, set your email filter to filter out any messages
coming from   @nutritionucanlivewith.com    and the program will remove
anything coming from me.
---------------------------------------------------------

Source: RTI International 	  	
Released: Wed 22-Oct-2008, 14:30 ET
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545640/?sc=dwhn

Six Illnesses Common Among Older Americans Cost $196 Billion

Newswise — Six major illnesses common among Americans age 65 and older 
cost more than $196 billion in 2007, according to estimates by 
researchers at RTI International.

The study, published in RTI Press, estimated the cost burden associated 
of six major illnesses among Americans age 65 or older: chronic lung 
disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, pneumonia and 
gastrointestinal illness. These illnesses are common among older 
Americans and environmental exposures are a significant risk factor for 
each of them.

"As our population continues to age, we expect that the total cost 
burden of these illnesses will also continue to increase," said George 
Van Houtven, Ph.D., senior economist at RTI and the study’s lead author. 
"To reduce these costs, we need to give priority to prevention 
strategies including environmental quality improvements."

The study showed that the total cost of all six conditions was almost 
$135 billion in 2000. Based on population growth and increases in 
average medical care prices since 2000, the comparable cost in 2007 
would have been more than $196 billion.

The researchers also found that ischemic heart disease was the most 
expensive of the six diseases, costing Americans 65 and older almost $60 
billion in 2000. The least expensive of the six diseases, 
gastrointestinal illness, cost the 65-or-older population $500 million 
in 2000.

The medical costs were estimated from Medicare claims data in 2000, and 
productivity losses were estimated through regression analyses of 
National Health Interview Survey data using age-specific earnings and 
household production estimates.

About RTI International:
RTI International is one of the world’s leading research institutes, 
dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into 
practice. Our more than 3,800 professionals provide research and 
technical services to governments and businesses in more than 40 
countries in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and 
training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, international 
development, economic and social policy, energy, and the environment. 
For more information, visit www.rti.org.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
"Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
"Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy"
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/