The relative health burden of selected social and behavioral risk factors in the united states: Implications for policy

P. Muennig, K. Fiscella, D. Tancredl and P. Franks

American Journal of Public Health, 2010, vol. 100, issue 9, 1758-1764

Abstract: Objectives. We sought to quantify the potential health impact of selected medical and nonmedical policy changes within the United States. Methods. Using data from the 1997-2000 National Health Interview Surveys (linked to mortality data through 2002) and the 1996-2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, we calculated age-specific health-related quality-of-life scores and mortality probabilities for 8 social and behavioral risk factors. We then used Markov models to estimate the quality-adjusted life years lost. Results. Ranked quality-adjusted life years lost were income less than 200% of the poverty line versus 200% or greater (464 million; 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 368, 564); current-smoker versus never-smoker (329 million; 95% Cl = 226, 382); body mass index 30 or higher versus 20 to less than 25 (205 million; 95% Cl = 159, 269); non-Hispanic Black versus non-Hispanic White (120 million; 95% Cl =83, 163); and less than 12 years of school relative to 12 or more (74 million; 95% Cl = 52, 101). Binge drinking, overweight, and health insurance have relatively less influence on population health. Conclusions. Poverty, smoking, and high-school dropouts impose the greatest burden of disease in the United States.

Date: 2010
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2009.165019_2

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.165019

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