Introduction
As practitioners dedicated to the well-being of children, it's essential to stay informed about the latest research and leverage data-driven decisions to improve outcomes. A recent study titled "To what extent does sex, age and BMI impact medical and pharmacy costs? A retrospective cohort study involving employees in a large school district in the USA" provides valuable insights that can be applied to enhance our practice. This blog will discuss the key findings of the study and how practitioners can implement these outcomes to improve their skills and encourage further research.
Key Findings
The study, conducted by Merrill and Fowers (2019), analyzed the impact of sex, age, and BMI on medical and pharmacy costs among employees in a large school district. The main findings include:
- Women had higher median medical and pharmacy costs compared to men.
- Medical and pharmacy costs increased with age.
- Morbidly obese individuals had significantly higher medical and pharmacy costs.
- Annual pharmacy claims were more likely to be filed by women, older individuals, and those with higher BMI.
- Higher medication use among women was primarily due to drugs for birth control, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, and urinary tract infections.
- Medication use increased with age, particularly for gastrointestinal problems.
- Medication use was positively associated with BMI for most drug types, except for birth control, herpes, and osteoporosis.
Implementing Research Outcomes
Practitioners can use these findings to enhance their practice in several ways:
1. Focus on Weight Management
Given the significant impact of BMI on medical and pharmacy costs, practitioners should emphasize weight management in their interventions. Encouraging healthy eating habits and physical activity can help manage weight and reduce the risk of chronic health conditions.
2. Address Gender-Specific Health Needs
The study highlights the higher medical and pharmacy costs for women, particularly related to birth control, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, and urinary tract infections. Practitioners should be aware of these gender-specific health needs and tailor their interventions accordingly.
3. Prioritize Age-Related Health Concerns
As medical and pharmacy costs increase with age, practitioners should prioritize age-related health concerns in their practice. This includes focusing on medications for gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Early intervention and preventive measures can help manage these conditions and reduce overall healthcare costs.
4. Encourage Participation in Wellness Programs
The study found that participation in wellness screening programs was associated with lower medical costs. Practitioners should encourage participation in such programs to identify health risks early and promote preventive care.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore the causal relationships between BMI, medical costs, and pharmacy costs. Practitioners can contribute to this research by collecting and analyzing data from their practice, sharing findings with the broader community, and collaborating with researchers to conduct studies.
Conclusion
By implementing the outcomes of this research, practitioners can enhance their skills and create better outcomes for children. Focusing on weight management, addressing gender-specific health needs, prioritizing age-related health concerns, and encouraging participation in wellness programs are key strategies to achieve this goal.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: To what extent does sex, age and BMI impact medical and pharmacy costs? A retrospective cohort study involving employees in a large school district in the USA.
