[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/ukne...-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

(Sorry that wasnt in the article I posted, was in http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/health...-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.]

Originally Posted by Shaun

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

[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.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

4 years for obese. 7 years for smokers.

aww damn

[arista]

Originally Posted by Shaun

you healthy people disgust me

But we can carry you.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

aww damn

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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.]

Originally Posted by arista

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

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

[arista]

Originally Posted by 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

Yes a Angry Tory Paper source only

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by arista

Yes a Angry Tory Paper source only

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

[arista]

Originally Posted by kizzy

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.]

Originally Posted by arista

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.]

Originally Posted by arista

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]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

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]

Originally Posted by arista

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