May 5, 1997
Contact:
Mary Burnette
202-872-1488
REPORT SAYS NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS CAN SAVE MILITARY BILLIONS
The use of vitamin and mineral supplements by active and retired military personnel, coupled with medical therapies to reduce or delay the onset of age-related disease, could save the federal government up to $6.3 billion annually, according to a report released May 1 by the non-profit National Defense Council Foundation.
The potential health benefits of supplementation with antioxidants are so significant, says the report that "given the inexpensive nature of vitamin supplements, it would likely be cost-effective to make them available to patients without charge."
The analysis, presented at a congressional seminar held in Washington, DC, on May 1, examined the strategic implications of aging military and veteran populations. The military healthcare system faces rising costs as a growing number of elderly retirees and their dependents and survivors seek medical help to cope with ailments of old age, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. At the seminar, Foundation President Milton Copulos stated that "The median age of Americans is at its highest point in history. One of the most profound consequences of this shift in the nation's demographic parameters will be its implications for health care services provided by the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to America's active and retired military population, as well as to other veterans of military service."
A comprehensive nutrition program which includes dietary supplementation, where appropriate, could help prevent or reduce the risk of some chronic diseases. The report cites a number of vitamins and minerals which could benefit patients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, beta carotene, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and chromium. Higher than RDA-levels of the antioxidant vitamins C and E and beta-carotene may help reduce cancer and heart disease. Supplemental calcium, taken with vitamin D and magnesium, will help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Selenium may help prevent strokes and some cancers, and chromium helps the body use insulin effectively.
In fact, says the report, a 25 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease and heart attacks alone would yield annual savings of some $472.9 million to the Armed Forces, and over $3 billion for the DVA. A similar reduction in the number of strokes would save the DOD $327.5 million annually and would save DVA almost $2 billion. Delaying the onset of osteoporosis by five years would yield annual savings to DOD of $114 million and to DVA of $984 million. A delay in the onset of Alzheimer's disease by five years could save $40 billion annually according to the American Aging Association.
The 16 page report entitled The Aging Crisis: Does The Greying of America Threaten National Security? is available free of charge to the media and for $12.95 per copy, plus shipping and handling for other interested parties. For information, call the National Defense Council Foundation, (703) 836-3443.
The National Defense Council Foundation is a 20,000 member non-profit research/education/humanitarian aid organization.
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