05/16/06

New Report on Preventive Health Services Would Be More Valuable to Consumers by Encouraging Nutrition Counseling from the Experts – Registered Dietitians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2006

Media contacts: Tom Ryan,  Jennifer Starkey
800/877-1600, ext. 4894, 4802 
e-mail: media@eatright.org

CHICAGO – A new government-sponsored study that ranks preventive health services based on their impact and cost-effectiveness would be more valuable to consumers by encouraging diet consultation provided by registered dietitians, according to the American Dietetic Association.

The report, released Tuesday, May 16, by the nonprofit group Partnership for Prevention and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ranks 25 services that it recommends be offered by health-care providers.

“Diet Counseling” received the lowest score (1 out of 5) for both “Health Impact” and “Value/Cost Effectiveness,” despite the fact that many of the conditions listed in the report have nutritional components and can be affected by diet, including obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, folic acid deficiency, breast cancer, osteoporosis and high blood pressure.

“Making proper dietary choices can save millions of lives and billions of health-care dollars,” said registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Lona Sandon. “That is just one reason why nutrition counseling – from a registered dietitian – is important and should be encouraged.”

The report does not specify which health-care provider should conduct the diet counseling, which makes an immense difference for consumers. “A study released in April indicates 60 percent of medical schools do not meet minimum recommendations for nutrition education,” Sandon said. “This is more evidence that, for the most reliable advice, patients should request a referral to an RD.”

Independent studies have confirmed the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy – including preventive consultation and follow-up monitoring – conducted by RDs. Among them:

  • The Lewin Group documented an 8.6 percent reduction in hospital stays and 16.9 percent drop in doctor visits for patients with cardiovascular disease and a 9.5 percent reduction in hospital stays and 23.5 percent drop in physician visits when medical nutrition therapy was provided to people with diabetes.
  • The University of California – Irvine demonstrated annual cost savings of more than $60,000 per person in cholesterol medications for people receiving medical nutrition therapy from an RD.
  • The Oxford Health Plan saved $10 for every $1 spent on nutrition counseling for at-risk elderly patients. Monthly costs for Medicare claims fell from $66,000 before the nutrition program to $45,000 afterward.

With approximately 65,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition and well-being. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org.

 

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