A groundbreaking Health Action Council study uncovers the extensive health and economic impact of obesity, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this public health crisis.
Obesity rates have been steadily rising across the country for decades, with a range of consequences for individuals’ physical, mental, and financial well-being.
Key findings include:
- Individuals with obesity face healthcare costs 2.3 times higher than peers without the condition, driven by chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
- Obesity significantly increases the risk of cancers, mental health conditions, and other comorbidities, including a 94% higher risk of upper stomach cancer.
- Among Millennial women, obesity rates are three times higher than Gen Z women, posing heightened risks during childbearing years.
- The ripple effect: children of parents with obesity are over twice as likely to experience developmental disorders, ADHD, and chronic conditions like asthma.
This study highlights a pressing call for employers to implement targeted strategies for fostering healthier workplace environments, reducing costs, and addressing the generational challenges of obesity.
To learn more, read the full white paper!
About Health Action Council
Health Action Council is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization representing mid and large-size employers that enhances human and economic health through thought leadership, innovative services, and collaboration. It provides value to its members by facilitating projects that improve the quality and moderate the cost of healthcare purchased by its members for their employees, dependents, and retirees. Health Action Council also collaborates with key stakeholders - health plans, physicians, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry - to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare in the community.