Economic Burden of Obesity among Uninsured Individuals in the Rural South: A Case Study of Southeastern Kentucky

Obesity has been documented as major health threat in the United States. It has been shown to be linked to higher rates of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and other illness. The economic burden has also been demonstrated to be very large, rivaling or exceeding that of cancer, smoking and excessive drinking. To date however, no study has examined the incidence of this economic burden. Obese individuals who are also members of a vulnerable populationm such as those lacking helath insurancem are likely to bear an even greater economic burden than those who are not obese. This study will test the hypothesis that obese individuals bear a greater economic burden, in the form of health care service use and out-of-pocket expenditures, than those who are not obese. A regression analysis will be used to test these hypotheses. This information will be useful in providing economic justification for extension and government programs designed to address diet and health concerns.