<\/strong>Achieving NSSRI sugar reduction targets could prevent 2.48 million CV events, 0.49 million CV deaths, 0.75 million cases of diabetes in the U.S.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n <\/b><\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Sept. 3, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a sugar reduction policy could yield considerable health benefits and cost savings, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in Circulation<\/em>.<\/p>\n Siyi Shangguan, M.D., M.P.H., from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, at Tufts University in Boston, and colleagues used a validated microsimulation model to estimate incremental changes in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, and cost-effectiveness of the U.S. National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative (NSSRI) proposed government-supported voluntary national sugar reduction target policy. A simulated nationally representative U.S. population was created and followed, with 2019 as the year of intervention initiation.<\/p>\n The researchers found that achieving the NSSRI sugar reduction targets could prevent 2.48 million CVD events, 0.49 million CVD deaths, and 0.75 million cases of diabetes; in addition, 6.67 million QALYs would be gained and $160.88 billion net costs would be saved from a societal perspective over a lifetime. At six, seven, and nine years, the policy became cost-effective, highly cost-effective, and cost-saving, respectively. In addition, the policy could reduce disparities, with the greatest health gains estimated for Black and Hispanic, lower-income, and less-educated Americans.<\/p>\n “We hope that this study will help push the reformulation initiative forward in the next few years,” Shangguan said in a statement. “Reducing the sugar content of commercially prepared foods and beverages will have a larger impact on the health of Americans than other initiatives to cut sugar, such as imposing a sugar tax, labeling added sugar content, or banning sugary drinks in schools.”<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n