Fit healthy people cost NHS more than smokers/obese

[Vicky.]

Yeah, I posted a link in another thread, then had a look around to check that it wasnt just a random site saying that, and sure enough there are a fair few sources backing this up. So despite being told that smokers/obese are a drain on the NHS, the two groups actually cost LESS than healthy people, with smokers costing the NHS the least out of the three (paying IN a lot more than anyone else on top of that also)


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1577636/Healthy-people-place-biggest-burden-on-state.html

Healthy people cost taxpayers more in medical bills over their lifetimes than smokers or the obese, a new study has found.

Because they tend to live longer, the savings that they make the state in youth and middle age are wiped out by the high cost of dealing with lingering diseases of old age like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

By contrast smokers - who pour millions extra into government coffers by purchasing cigarettes - cost the state the least because they tend to die younger.

According to the research, a person of normal weight costs on average £210,000 over their lifetime, a smoker just £165,000 and an obese person £187,000.

[Kizzy]

Maybe thats because healthy people live twice as long as fat smokers? (note to self...read the quote fully) haha
The info is a bit old, seems you can't win damned if you do damned if you dont. The upside is if healthy you will be working longer to offset the drain on resources you are. :)

[Vicky.]

Well thats what the article says, though not twice as long but 4 years longer on average :p

(Sorry that wasnt in the article I posted, was in http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/health/fatties-and-smokers-save-the-nhs-money that one.)

On average, healthy people lived 84 years. Smokers lived about 77 years and obese people lived about 80 years. Smokers and obese people tended to have more heart disease than the healthy people.

[Niamh.]

Only 4 years longer? That's surprising

[Vicky.]

4 years for obese. 7 years for smokers.

[Shaun]

you healthy people disgust me

[Vicky.]

you healthy people disgust me

IKR. Such a drain on the NHS resources.

Should take up smoking or start living on cakes or something. Its easy enough to do :bored:

[CharlieO]

Well generally a healthy person cannot do much to improve the cost they cause.

Plus it is an average, smokers and obese people only make up a fraction of the population which is why theirs is smaller. So some healthy people who may need huge costly surgeries push the average up by none of their own doing. It also depends upon what type of average they are using.
I can't believe some people just trust everything they read without actually thinking of why the figures may show this.

[Niamh.]

4 years for obese. 7 years for smokers.

aww damn :laugh:

[arista]

you healthy people disgust me

But we can carry you.

[Vicky.]

aww damn :laugh:

Tbh I think I would rather die in my 70s than my 80s so this suits me just fine.

I thought the life expectancy of a smoker would be way below 77 years

[CharlieO]

Oh and it is probably because healthy people care more for their health as a whole so will visit doctors more often just incase. Where as smokers or obese people will avoid the doctor more because they will be told to lose weight/stop.

It doesn't mean that they are healthier in any way.

[Vicky.]

Ahh charlies upset that I actually have a source or two to back up what I'm saying it seems. The way its meant to be done round here is just supposition and making things up :)

[arista]

Vicky that Data changes every Year
how can you "of all people" trust a Tory Paper?

[CharlieO]

Ahh charlies upset that I actually have a source or two to back up what I'm saying it seems. The way its meant to be done round here is just supposition and making things up :)

Not at all. They may cost the tax payer less on average but doesn't make them healthier or clever for taking up such a disgusting habit or being grossly overweight.

[Vicky.]

Vicky that Data changes every Year
how can you "of all people" trust a Tory Paper?

:conf:

And what do you mean it changes every year?

I dont quite understand why a paper would make out that smokers/obese people cost less than healthy people if it wasnt true...the papers usually spend their time demonising all smokers/overweight people :joker:

[arista]

Ahh charlies upset that I actually have a source or two to back up what I'm saying it seems. The way its meant to be done round here is just supposition and making things up :)



Yes a Angry Tory Paper source only

[Kizzy]

Yes a Angry Tory Paper source only

Arista you quote the sun, thats a tory paper...

[arista]

Arista you quote the sun, thats a tory paper...

No I quote Every Paper
I read the Guardian


Not just a Paper Angry after the budget.

[Shaun]

I always find it funny how supposedly happier healthy people are. Running through the sunny fields, drinking Yakult, insulting peoples' appearance and lifestyle choices online. Sounds amaze.

[Vicky.]

Yes a Angry Tory Paper source only

Arista there are MANY more than just that source if you care to check.

I just find it easier to quote one source instead of 10 at a time

[Vicky.]

Not just a Paper Angry after the budget.

Healthy people place biggest burden on state

By Stephen Adams

9:01AM GMT 05 Feb 2008

....

[Kizzy]

Fatties cost the NHS loads! I dont believe it to be honest ...Who commissioned this report ronald macdonald?
What about hospitals having to reinforce floors in operating theatres...Have cranes and winches, specialised teams, extra wide beds and wheelchairs, take the sides off buildings to remove them?

[arista]

Healthy people place biggest burden on state

By Stephen Adams

9:01AM GMT 05 Feb 2008

....


Yes just as many say Stinking Smokers are Our Problem
fat ones as well.

[Kizzy]

No I quote Every Paper
I read the Guardian


Not just a Paper Angry after the budget.

The guardian readers were not happy either... The tories on a middle income however are feeling a bit sick.....haha

[arista]

Fatties cost the NHS loads! I dont believe it to be honest ...Who commissioned this report ronald macdonald?
What about hospitals having to reinforce floors in operating theatres...Have cranes and winches, specialised teams, extra wide beds and wheelchairs, take the sides off buildings to remove them?


You are most wise.

[Shaun]

when was the last time you actually heard of a crane down your local NHS, kizzy, rather than saw one on American television?

[Roy Mars III]

makes sense. overweight people don't go to to the doctor's because they'd be told off for being overweight, and smokers for smoking. who wants that

[Vicky.]

when was the last time you actually heard of a crane down your local NHS, kizzy, rather than saw one on American television?

:laugh: this

I mean, theres no denying it happens, but some seem to think its happening every day

This is a bit like me saying all the 'skinnies' must cost loads because one of them fell down a manhole the other day and had to be winched out, so clearly it happens all the time. See how ridiculous this sounds...

(Dont ask...it came straight to my head and I went with it )

[Vicky.]

Yes just as many say Stinking Smokers are Our Problem
fat ones as well.

Can you find any that state that smokers/'fat ones' cost more to the NHS than healthy people?

I just looked for about 5 minutes on google and cant find any and it would be interesting to read :)

[Kizzy]

when was the last time you actually heard of a crane down your local NHS, kizzy, rather than saw one on American television?

http://www.kgh.nhs.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-disclosure-log/july-2011/equipment-and-furniture-for-obese-patients/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2039100/Obesity-Rising-costs-caring-obese-patients-Britain.html

http://www.chilterninvadex.co.uk/nhs.htm

[Vicky.]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2039100/Obesity-Rising-costs-caring-obese-patients-Britain.html


13 grand for a stretcher?

I think whoevers supplying the NHS is ripping them off big style :laugh:

[InOne]

I much prefer to be in the company of smokers and drinkers than overzealous health freaks. Drinkers and smokers are usually friendlier people and much happier with their lives than those who strain for perfection. Fitness fanatics are usually covering up other issues so use exercise to feel better about themselves and allow themselves to feel somewhat above other people.

Cheers.

[Kizzy]

I much prefer to be in the company of smokers and drinkers than overzealous health freaks. Drinkers and smokers are usually friendlier people and much happier with their lives than those who strain for perfection. Fitness fanatics are usually covering up other issues so use exercise to feel better about themselves and allow themselves to feel somewhat above other people.

Cheers.

Al ot of people drink to cover their issues too...If you ever need to talk inone im here for you ok?...:)

[InOne]

Al ot of people drink to cover their issues too...If you ever need to talk inone im here for you ok?...:)

Kizzy if I ever wanted to talk to someone it certainly would not be you.

[arista]

Kizzy is Correct

[Kizzy]

Kizzy if I ever wanted to talk to someone it certainly would not be you.

Thats a bit mean....
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z44/WicketTheEwok/Animated%20Fun/th_morrissey-crying.gif

[Jords]

Lets all smoke and get fat!!!

[InOne]

Thats a bit mean....
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z44/WicketTheEwok/Animated%20Fun/th_morrissey-crying.gif

Treat em mean keep em keen

[Kizzy]

Kizzy is Correct
Cheers!
http://www.thissongsforyou.net/images/Girl%20wink.gif

[Kizzy]

Treat em mean keep em keen
Not me bud, i demand adulation......

[InOne]

Not me bud, i demand adulation......

We'll see ;)

[Shaun]

Not one of those links mentioned a crane, kizzy, and I dare say a lot of those prices just might have been hiked up by greedy industrialists :spin2: I mean £1,700 for a set of scales?

[joeysteele]

It doesn't surprise me that healthier people could cost more than the obese or smokers.

I have felt for a good while that smokers are just scapegoats and it's easy to lay the blame as to cost etc on them for a lot of things, they certainly pay a great deal more to Govts in tax than most other people that's the only thing for sure.

I don't and never have or will smoke by the way.

[GypsyGoth]

If someone is healthy I don't see how they can cost the nhs that much money. If they were sick sure, but fit healthy people?

Being fit & healthy means you don't have to see a doctor, and even if you do, you're not going to be sent for any treatment.

[Kizzy]

Not one of those links mentioned a crane, kizzy, and I dare say a lot of those prices just might have been hiked up by greedy industrialists :spin2: I mean £1,700 for a set of scales?

A hoist is a crane for a human....kinda
Greedy industrialists?...we dont have those in this country...only entrepreneurs :)