The Value of Medical and Pharmaceutical Interventions for Reducing Obesity

Abstract

This paper attempts to quantify the private and public economic value of reducing obesity through pharmaceutical and medical interventions. We find that the economic value of such treatments, in particular bariatric surgery, is large for treated patients, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios typically under $20,000 per life-year saved. Our approach accounts for competing risks to life expectancy, health care cost savings, and other non-medical fiscal consequences. Most of the therapeutic value is generated by longer healthy life expectancy, with modest contributions from health spending, taxes and other spending. Obesity treatment generates substantial per-period savings in medical costs, but it also raises lifetime medical and annuity costs by extending life. On balance, treatment generates substantial private economic value and lowers the prevalence of obesity, but the aggregate fiscal effects on the public-sector are small.