The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.

<h4>Objective</h4>To estimate the productivity impacts of a policy intervention on the prevention of premature mortality due to obesity.<h4>Methods</h4>A simulation model of the Australian population over the period from 2003 to 2030 was developed to estimate productivity gai...

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Main Authors: Hannah E Carter, Deborah J Schofield, Rupendra Shrestha, Lennert Veerman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2019-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220209
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author Hannah E Carter
Deborah J Schofield
Rupendra Shrestha
Lennert Veerman
author_facet Hannah E Carter
Deborah J Schofield
Rupendra Shrestha
Lennert Veerman
author_sort Hannah E Carter
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Objective</h4>To estimate the productivity impacts of a policy intervention on the prevention of premature mortality due to obesity.<h4>Methods</h4>A simulation model of the Australian population over the period from 2003 to 2030 was developed to estimate productivity gains associated with premature deaths averted due to an obesity prevention intervention that applied a 10% tax on unhealthy foods. Outcome measures were the total working years gained, and the present value of lifetime income (PVLI) gained. Impacts were modelled over the period from 2003 to 2030. Costs are reported in 2018 Australian dollars and a 3% discount rate was applied to all future benefits.<h4>Results</h4>Premature deaths averted due to a junk food tax accounted for over 8,000 additional working years and a $307 million increase in PVLI. Deaths averted in men between the ages of 40 to 59, and deaths averted from ischaemic heart disease, were responsible for the largest gains.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax are substantial, accounting for almost twice the value of the estimated savings to the health care system. The results we have presented provide evidence that the adoption of a societal perspective, when compared to a health sector perspective, provides a more comprehensive estimate of the cost-effectiveness of a junk food tax.
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spelling doaj.art-fe09801d165848418b9e5b3aefc813e52022-12-21T19:13:45ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032019-01-01147e022020910.1371/journal.pone.0220209The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.Hannah E CarterDeborah J SchofieldRupendra ShresthaLennert Veerman<h4>Objective</h4>To estimate the productivity impacts of a policy intervention on the prevention of premature mortality due to obesity.<h4>Methods</h4>A simulation model of the Australian population over the period from 2003 to 2030 was developed to estimate productivity gains associated with premature deaths averted due to an obesity prevention intervention that applied a 10% tax on unhealthy foods. Outcome measures were the total working years gained, and the present value of lifetime income (PVLI) gained. Impacts were modelled over the period from 2003 to 2030. Costs are reported in 2018 Australian dollars and a 3% discount rate was applied to all future benefits.<h4>Results</h4>Premature deaths averted due to a junk food tax accounted for over 8,000 additional working years and a $307 million increase in PVLI. Deaths averted in men between the ages of 40 to 59, and deaths averted from ischaemic heart disease, were responsible for the largest gains.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax are substantial, accounting for almost twice the value of the estimated savings to the health care system. The results we have presented provide evidence that the adoption of a societal perspective, when compared to a health sector perspective, provides a more comprehensive estimate of the cost-effectiveness of a junk food tax.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220209
spellingShingle Hannah E Carter
Deborah J Schofield
Rupendra Shrestha
Lennert Veerman
The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.
PLoS ONE
title The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.
title_full The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.
title_fullStr The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.
title_full_unstemmed The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.
title_short The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness.
title_sort productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost effectiveness
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220209
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