Financial Benefit from Smokers and Obese People

Financial Benefit from Smokers and Obese People

Smokers and obese people financially benefit governments with socialized healthcare, according to a study by Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. Healthy people live longer and require more health care than smokers and obese people. The study completed in 2008 concluded that healthy people need about $417,000 in healthcare expenses during their lifetime. Obese people, who on average died 4 years before healthy people, came in second place costing $371,000. Smokers, who on average died 7 years before healthy people, required the most inexpensive healthcare during a lifetime, $326,000.