Economic modeling for improved prediction of saving estimates in healthcare costs from consumption of healthy foods: the Mediterranean-style diet case study

Abstract

BackgroundBy design, existing scenario-based nutrition economics studies on the financial benefits of healthy dietary behaviors generally report uncertainty in inputs and wide ranges of outcome estimates.ObjectivesThis modeling exercise aimed to establish precision in prediction of the potential healthcare cost savings that would follow a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) consistent with an increase in adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (MedDiet).DesignUsing a Monte Carlo simulation model on a cost-of-illness analysis assessing MedDiet adherence, CVD incidence reduction, and healthcare cost savings in the United States and Canada, short- and long-term cost savings that are likely to accrue to the American and Canadian healthcare systems were estimated using 20 and 80% increases in MedDiet adherence scenarios.ResultsIncreasing percentage of population adhering to a MedDiet by 20% beyond the current adherence level produced annual savings in CVD-related costs of US$8.2 billion (95% confidence interval [CI], $7.5–$8.8 billion) in the United States and Can$0.32 billion (95% CI, $0.29–$0.34 billion) in Canada. An 80% increase in adherence resulted in savings equal to US$31 billion (95% CI, $28.6–$33.3 billion) and Can$1.2 billion (95% CI, $1.11–$1.30 billion) in each respective country.ConclusionComputational techniques with stochastic parameter inputs, such as the Monte Carlo simulation, could be an effective way of incorporating variability of modeling parameters in nutrition economics studies for improved precision in estimating the monetary value of healthy eating habits.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in Croatia: Lessons Learned Today for a Brighter Tomorrow

“…Therefore, being overweight or obese indicates a significant risk for development of many other non-communicable diseases, such as CVD, cancer, and diabetes [37][38][39]. Mediterranean diet, over the last few decades, has come into the spotlight due to having multiple beneficial properties to humans, including improvements in gut microbiota, vascular ageing, inflammatory and other health-related biomarkers, preventing certain cancer types, reduction in overall mortality, and combating CVD, thus potentially leading to substantial annual savings [19,21,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. In addition to many health and nutrition benefits, the Mediterranean diet, as a mainly plant-based diet, contributes to lower greenhouse emissions and a smaller water footprint, while promoting biodiversity.…”

Olive Oil Lignan (+)-Acetoxypinoresinol Peripheral Motor and Neuronal Protection against the Tremorgenic Mycotoxin Penitrem A Toxicity via STAT1 Pathway

“…The common plant lignan (+)-PN has been identified in many plants like cabbages, forsythia flower, golden flax, sesame oil, and others, unlike the (+)-AC, which is exclusively occurring in EVOO . Thus, AC was selected for subsequent in vivo studies due to the documented neuronal protective activities of an EVOO-rich Mediterranean diet. − High and low doses of PA were used in Swiss albino mice in both sexes to mimic the acute and subacute exposures. The reported range of doses of PA that are lethal to mice was 1.0–2 mg/kg. ,, The Up-and-Down technique calculated that the ip LD 50 of PA in CD1 mice was 1.92 mg/kg .…”

“…The Mediterranean diet has been scientifically proven to furnish numerous health benefits . The Mediterranean diet has been validated to promote positive health benefits against many diet-related chronic/subchronic disorders, such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative, obesity, inflammation, and cancer, and recently, it was proven to reduce gestational diabetes risk during pregnancy. − Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a classical Mediterranean diet ingredient source of monounsaturated fats and is documented to play a key role in health-promoting activities of a Mediterranean diet . The health benefits of EVOO are attributed to its phenolic contents, which represent 1–2% of oil content. − Olive phenolics include simple phenolic alcohols and acids, flavonoids, secoiridoids, and lignans. − The main EVOO lignans are PN, AC, and syringaresinol. − The average natural occurrence of AC in olive oil ranges from 20 to 123.5 mg/L .…”

Incentivizing wellness through community supported agriculture: Reflections on shareholder impacts of an employer-based CSA voucher program

“…A significant portion of these costs is directly related to diet, both for medical and pharmacy expenditures. Shifts toward vegetable-centric diets have the potential to significantly reduce costs by reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease (Jones et al, 2019;Kris-Etherton et al, 2020;Martinez-Lacoba et al, 2018), as well as decreasing rates of other chronic diseases (Bechthold et al, 2019;Bellavia et al, 2013;Boeing et al, 2012;Dauchet et al, 2006). Although the American Heart Association recommends five servings of fruit and vegetables per day per person, only about 9% of U.S. adults meet this threshold (Bellavia et al, 2013;Lee-Kwan et al, 2017).…”