Texas Health Resources - The Business of Healthcare

The Business of Health Care Report
The American Obesity Epidemic - November 2002

Click to listen to this taped broadcast.

I'm Doug Hawthorne, President and CEO of Texas Health Resources, with "The Business of Health Care Report" on News Radio 1080 KRLD. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, today's topic - the American obesity epidemic - is especially timely.

Obesity affects at least 70 million Americans: more than one third of all adults and 1 in 5 children.

Here at home, Men's Fitness magazine ranked four Texas cities in its "Top Ten Fattest Cities List." Houston ranked No. 1, Dallas fifth, San Antonio seventh and Fort Worth ranked eighth.

An important determinant of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, diabetes and stroke, obesity causes an estimated 300,000 deaths per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The cost of obesity in the United States is staggering - well over $100 billion - with much of the expense coming in health care.

In addition, the economy is burdened by lost wages from people unable to work because of illness and disability, as well as by the value of future earnings lost by premature death.

Both have a negative impact on businesses as short- and long-term disability and workers' compensation claims increase.

Educational programs for weight maintenance and reduction must become higher priorities to control this epidemic. We must educate children and adults on the importance of healthy nutrition and regular physical activity. We also must work to encourage employers and schools to make facilities and opportunities available for physical activity for their employees and students.

Obesity has proven itself costly and it's a price that we can no longer afford. From individuals in the community to health care professionals, legislators, schools, work sites and the media - we all must do our part to help prevent and decrease obesity in America.

Visit the Texas Health Resources Web site for more information about obesity at www.texashealth.org.

For Texas Health Resources and its family of hospitals - Harris Methodist Hospitals, Presbyterian Healthcare System and Arlington Memorial Hospital - I'm CEO Doug Hawthorne with "The Business of Health Care Report" on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD.

Archives | Close Window