Research Topic And Outline For Final Course Project

Research Topic And OutlineThe Final Project For This Course Is A Resea

Research Topic and Outline The final project for this course is a Research Paper. The first two assignments will help you find the tools needed to prepare and gradually build your final research paper. The research paper for this course will be argumentative. The argumentative research paper requires you to take a position on an issue and support the position with persuasive facts and statements. First, select a Research Paper TOPIC that can be assessed using health care economics principles.

Please choose from the following topics the issue you are going to discuss. A history of Medicare cost containment policies Not-for-profit versus for profit State children health insurance programs Medicare prospective payment program Medicare and Medicate dual eligibility Health maintenance organizations Long-term health care insurance The managed care backlash Impact of obesity on healthcare costs Impact of diabetes on healthcare costs Impact of smoking on healthcare costs Nursing shortages Cost of Pharmaceuticals Second, provide your research paper with the following OUTLINE (Your final paper assignment should include a detail explanation of this outline): a. Introduction -Your introduction should give a brief overview of the topic you are going to discuss.

The last sentence of your introduction section should be your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should start with – The purpose of this paper is to….. b. Body of paper - The body of your paper should organize how you plan to address each required section of the paper. Each supporting item is then broken down into smaller supporting items. An overview of the issue Why is this issue a concern from a health care economics perspective?

Who are the major parties involved in this issue? Which market forces have an impact on this issue? How is demand illustrated in this issue? How is supply illustrated in this issue? How has the affordable care act impacted this issue?

How are health disparities demonstrated in this issue? How has this issue been improved in other global markets? What is your recommendation for making improvements based on economic principles. c. Conclusion – The conclusion of your paper should summarize your thesis statement and the supporting items discussed in your paper. In this outline, please indicate what you expect the finding to be. d.

References – Provide list of five (5) bibliographic references (using APA format). Your final research paper will require seven (7) bibliographic references. (You may use your textbook as a reference and you should have a minimum of 6 academic outside references including 3 peer-reviewed journal articles *

Paper For Above instruction

The healthcare industry is a complex and dynamic sector influenced by numerous economic, policy, and social factors. For this research paper, I have chosen to focus on the "Impact of obesity on healthcare costs," a pressing issue that significantly affects healthcare economics. Obesity has become a global epidemic, leading to increased healthcare expenditures due to associated chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and certain cancers. The purpose of this paper is to examine how obesity influences healthcare costs, identify the major stakeholders involved, analyze market forces at play, assess the impact of policies like the Affordable Care Act, and propose economic-based recommendations to mitigate this issue.

Introduction

Obesity's rise represents one of the most critical challenges confronting healthcare systems worldwide. Its direct and indirect costs impose substantial burdens on public and private healthcare providers, insurance companies, patients, and policymakers. Despite awareness campaigns and intervention efforts, obesity rates continue to climb, prompting urgent economic and health policy considerations. This paper aims to explore the economic implications of obesity on healthcare costs, scrutinize the key parties involved, evaluate how market forces influence preventive and treatment services, and analyze policy impacts, especially those stemming from the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Overview of the Issue

Obesity's prevalence has surged over recent decades, resulting in heightened demand for medical services related to weight management, chronic disease treatment, and related complications. As a public health concern, obesity contributes to increased hospital admissions, medication usage, and long-term care needs. From an economic perspective, these factors translate into soaring healthcare expenditures, increased insurance premiums, and greater financial strain on government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The societal costs extend beyond direct medical expenses, including lost productivity and increased disability claims.

Why is This Issue a Concern from a Healthcare Economics Perspective?

Obesity underscores a classic case of market failure in healthcare, where individual choices impact broader economic outcomes. The rising costs threaten the sustainability of healthcare systems, challenge resource allocation, and necessitate policy interventions. Economically, addressing obesity involves balancing investments in prevention with the costs of treatment, which can be substantial. The issue also influences health insurance markets, as higher obesity rates can lead to increased premiums and coverage limitations. Furthermore, the social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthy foods and recreational facilities, exacerbate economic disparities related to obesity.

Major Parties Involved

The key stakeholders include patients living with obesity, healthcare providers, insurance companies, government agencies, and public health organizations. Patients' health behaviors and choices directly influence obesity prevalence, while healthcare providers manage and treat obesity-related conditions. Insurance companies respond to increased claims and may implement policies that influence preventive care coverage. Government agencies, particularly those managing Medicare and Medicaid, bear substantial costs associated with obesity-related illnesses. Public health organizations advocate for prevention programs and health education to curb obesity's rise.

Market Forces Impacting the Issue

Several market forces shape the economic landscape of obesity. Demand for weight management services, medical treatments, and pharmaceuticals has increased due to rising prevalence. Supply-side factors include the availability of healthcare professionals, medical technology, and affordable interventions. Market failures emerge when externalities are not adequately accounted for—individual health choices impose costs on society. Insurance markets may exhibit adverse selection, where higher-risk individuals—such as those with obesity—cost the system more, influencing premium prices and coverage policies.

Demand and Supply Dynamics

The demand for obesity-related healthcare services has surged, fueled by the escalating prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities. This demand affects medical consultations, surgical interventions like bariatric surgery, pharmaceuticals, and long-term chronic disease management. On the supply side, healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies expand services and products to meet this demand. However, disparities in access to quality care and preventive services persist, often linked to socioeconomic status and geographic location.

Impact of the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly influenced obesity-related healthcare costs by expanding coverage and emphasizing preventive care. The ACA mandated coverage for obesity screening and counseling without copayments, aiming to promote early intervention. Nevertheless, it also increased demand for these services, potentially leading to higher short-term costs while aiming to reduce long-term expenditures through prevention. The ACA's emphasis on wellness programs has encouraged healthcare systems to adopt more holistic approaches, although disparities in access to these programs remain.

Health Disparities

Obesity disproportionately affects disadvantaged populations, highlighting health disparities rooted in socioeconomic factors, education, and access to healthy foods and recreational spaces. Minoritized groups often experience higher obesity rates, which translate into greater healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes. These disparities exacerbate economic inequalities and create challenges for policymakers aiming for equitable healthcare solutions.

International Improvements

Other global markets have implemented successful interventions to combat obesity, including taxation policies on sugary drinks, public health campaigns, and urban planning initiatives promoting physical activity. Countries like Mexico and the UK have seen reductions in obesity prevalence through policies that modify market behaviors and incentivize healthier choices. These international efforts underscore the importance of combining policy, economic incentives, and community engagement to address obesity effectively.

Recommendations Based on Economic Principles

Economic principles suggest that to mitigate obesity's impact, policymakers should consider implementing taxes on unhealthy foods, subsidizing nutritious options, and investing in preventive health initiatives. Establishing value-based insurance care can incentivize providers to focus on prevention rather than solely treatment. Furthermore, investing in health education and community programs can help reduce demand for costly medical interventions. Price signals—through taxes and subsidies—can influence consumer choices, ultimately decreasing the economic burden of obesity.

Conclusion

This paper hypothesizes that comprehensive economic policies targeting demand and supply-side factors can significantly reduce the healthcare costs associated with obesity. By analyzing stakeholders, market dynamics, policy impacts, and international best practices, it becomes evident that coordinated efforts rooted in economic principles are essential. The anticipated findings suggest that strategic interventions—such as taxation, subsidies, and prevention programs—can lead to a more sustainable healthcare system, reduced disparities, and better health outcomes.

References

• Finkelstein, E. A., Trogdon, J. G., Cohen, J. W., & Dietz, W. (2009). Annual Medical Expenditures Associated With Obesity: Payer- and Service-Specific Trends. Health Affairs, 28(5), w822–w831.
• Seidell, J. C., & Halberstadt, J. (2015). The global burden of obesity and the need for effective prevention strategies. Public Health Nutrition, 18(11), 2013-2018.
• Bray, G. A. (2015). Obesity and the Economics of Prevention: A Public Health Perspective. Journal of the American Medical Association, 314(12), 1259-1260.
• Cunningham, S. (2018). The economics of obesity: A review of recent research. Applied Economics Perspectives and Policy, 40(2), 269-291.
• WHO. (2020). Obesity and overweight. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
• Cobiac, L. J., et al. (2010). Taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Can Reduce Consumer Consumption and Improve Public Health. PLOS ONE, 5(11), e14252.
• Afshin, A., et al. (2017). The Impact of Fiscal and Policy Interventions on Diet, Obesity, and Noncommunicable Disease Outcomes: A Systematic Review. PLOS Medicine, 14(9), e1002377.
• Ogden, C. L., et al. (2014). Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. Journal of the American Medical Association, 311(8), 806–814.
• Vernazza, T. L., & Boyce, P. (2020). Urban Planning and Obesity: Developing Environments for Active Living. Journal of Urban Health, 97(1), 1-10.
• Rashad, I., & Hanto, D. (2019). The Economic Cost of Obesity: A Review of Evidence in the United States. Medical Economics, 96(4), 65-71.