Germany's Adipositas Epidemic: A Growing Economic Burden

According to a study by Dr. Tobias Effertz and his colleagues, Adipositas in Germany costs the state approximately 63 billion euros annually. Direct medical expenses account for around 29 billion euros, while indirect costs, such as disease-related absences and reduced productivity, amount to around 34 billion euros. The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina estimates the burden of obesity and Adipositas to be even higher when including additional costs. A shift in Germany's healthcare policy is necessary to address the economic dimension of the disease, which goes beyond the expenses of individual health insurance companies. The English model of Adipositas treatment, which involves a staged rollout of medication therapy, could serve as a reference point for Germany.