Disease-related malnutrition costs America $15.5 BILLION a year reveals study
- Malnutrition occurs when the body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs
- It is very common in hospitals as patients lose appetite or don’t chew
- Condition often goes undiagnosed because it can be invisible to the eye
- It can occur in both underweight and overweight individuals
- Study says treating malnutrition-linked illnesses costs $15.5 billion a year
Reuters
2
View
comments
The United States could save at least $15.5 billion in annual healthcare spending if malnutrition caused by chronic diseases is better addressed, according to a study.
The study, conducted by Abbott Laboratories’ nutrition division and the University of Illinois, noted one in three patients arrive at a U.S.-hospital with malnutrition.
A further one-third become malnourished during their stay.
Malnutrition occurs when the body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs. It is very common in hospitals as patients lose appetite or don’t chew. And it is costing the US $15 billion a year
Disease-associated malnutrition (DAM), which is linked with longer hospital stays, higher rates of readmission and increased mortality, is considered an invisible affliction as it occurs in both obese and underweight individuals.
It disproportionately affects the elderly, who have vulnerable immune systems and are commonly afflicted with chronic diseases.
While individuals over 65 represent only 14 percent of the American population, they accounted for nearly a third, or $4.3 billion, of DAM costs, according to the study.
-
How NICOTINE could help to prevent obesity and dementia:…
Simple blood test that could diagnose the 10 year risk of…
An aging population and rising medical costs are expected to lift healthcare spending by an average 5.8 per cent annually over the next decade, the U.S. federal government estimated in July.
Malnourished patients cost 20 per cent more to treat on average, said lead author Dr Scott Goates, a health economist at Abbott’s nutrition division, which accounted for about 34 per cent of the company’s $20.41 billion in 2015 net sales.
The study used publicly available data to calculate the increase in expenditure due to malnourishment associated with eight common chronic diseases, including stroke, depression, dementia and colorectal cancer.
It did not factor in patients’ socio-economic status.
Companies, including Abbott, Nestle SA and Danone SA, sell products that help in recovery following illness, injury or surgery.
These products are particularly useful for patients having trouble swallowing or digesting.
‘Of course, this could also be accomplished by drinks made from scratch at home,’ said Dr Carol Braunschweig, professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Share or comment on this article
-
e-mail
Most watched News videos
-
Woman has gun shootout with home intruders in a Georgia home
-
Is this the creepy moment the corpse of a girl OPENS her eyes?
-
World’s largest passenger plane battles high winds as it lands
-
Supermodel Gigi Hadid fights off man who grabs her at Milan show
-
Wife’s video shows fatal encounter with police and Keith Scott
-
Tech vlogger spoofs how to get a headphone jack on your iPhone 7
-
Is there something wrong with Hillary’s eyes?
-
Drumming DJ turns New York subway station into dance party
-
Second Keith Scott video shows police picking up object
-
Sex offender caught trying to attack a prosecutor in court
-
Kim Kardashian shares video of North West dancing to ‘Get Lucky’
-
Teacher surprises mother of dying girl that she is a match
-
Is this the world’s most modern family? Man who used to be a…
-
Did Macy’s murderer stash his rifle in the mall before…
-
Short Hillary wanted to debate tall Trump on a STEP STOOL –…
-
Brad and Maddox’s fight was caught on camera: Footage may…
-
REVEALED: The heartbreaking texts and letter which allegedly…
-
Brad and Angelina finalize their Hollywood divorce: Jolie…
-
‘I committed the biggest mistake of my life watching this…
-
Terrifying moment MMA fighter is pictured ‘carrying…
-
Debt-ridden actor who murdered two friends to fund his…
-
‘Did you shoot him? He better not be f***ing dead!’ Wife of…
-
Sometimes a hug is all it takes: Michelle embraces George W…
-
Moment a woman rushes out of bed and opens fire on three…
Find out now