More Than 9 in 10 Primary Care Physicians Say U.S. Health Care System Should Place Greater Emphasis on Nutrition to Manage Chron...(nts for nutrition services than they do ...),Health

Former Senator George McGovern, who has been a prominent advocate for improving nutrition worldwide, encouraged policymakers to take the benefits of nutrition into account in health care reform.

"As Congress takes up health care reform, it is important that the benefits of nutrition therapy be fully recognized. Investments in nutrition research, nutrition programs and nutrition therapy would provide dividends to the taxpayer. Nutrition services should be included in the Medicare program, and in any basic benefit package developed as a result of health care reform," said Sen. McGovern.

The abstract of a new study conducted by researchers at the Ohio State University Center for Health Outcomes, Policy and Evaluation Studies (HOPES) was also released at the briefing. The study, which has been submitted for publication, examined the cost effectiveness of therapeutic nutritional supplements (TNS) in the treatment of pressure ulcers, wounds, and burns. The researchers conducted economic modeling comparing the costs of TNS treatment to the savings from forgoing treatments that would be necessary if TNS was not used. Preliminary results indicate savings from the use of TNS for these conditions could be nearly $1 billion annually in the U.S.

Both studies were conducted with support from Abbott Nutrition, a division of Abbott, the global health care company. The primary care survey and the medical abstract are available at the American Dietetic Association's Web site, www.eatright.org/2009policybriefing.

About the American Dietetic Association

The American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics throug
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