The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that research into tackling obesity is to be boosted by ann extra £20 million worth of funding.
Obesity is currently costing the NHS £6 billion every year, with this set to increase to almost £10 billion each year by the time we get to 2050. With this in mind the funding, announced yesterday, is expected to save billions for the NHS allowing them to put vital funding into frontline services.
Promising medicines and new technologies can be offered to patients as a result of more funding being made available for research, with apps and online portals included as ways of encouraging lifestyle changes.
Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:
“Having a fit and healthy population is essential to reducing pressure on the NHS and supporting the economy with obesity, currently estimated to cost the NHS nearly £10 billion by 2050.
“We are fast tracking the most promising treatment and technologies to NHS patients to help them achieve a healthy weight, save the NHS billions of ponds and increase life expectancy.
“We are determined to harness the full potential of innovative medical breakthroughs to level up the health of the nation.”
The beginning of 2023 will bring an open competition, identifying sites to deliver the research planned. This will explore how new, transformative technologies and medicines can improve long-term health outcomes for people living with obesity.
This research will be focused outside of London and the South-East, and more on areas where obesity rates and health disparities are at the highest.
