The Cost of Sickness Versus Prevention

Dr. Pam Popper, PhD in Nutrition
Forbes Spring 2003

One of the common objections to spending more time and effort in getting healthy has been expense. Actually it is cheaper to maintain health than to treat illness. The problem has been that insurance typically covered the cost of illness. Employers covered the cost of insurance and therefore cost really hasn't been shouldered by individuals incurring them thus giving the idea that medical care is free or is suppose to be. This is going to change. Employers can't continue to pay the expenses currently. Employees are going to pay larger shares. Typically employees pay 20% or $5-$10 per prescription.

Amount Spent in US on Pharmaceutical Drugs
Year		Annual Cost
1996		$82 Billion
2002		$192 Billion
At the continued rate, costs will double by 2011
PRODUCT::problem		Annual Cost
Lexapro::depression		$770
Clarinex/Singulair::allergies		$780-$940
Celebrex::arthritis		$900
Meridia::weight loss		$980
Vioxx::pain		$900
Sarafem::PMS		$1000
Heart medications		$1400
Growth Hormones::anti-aging		$6400
Amevive::psoriasis		7000-$10,000
Juice Plus+ *$39.75/Month		$477

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