Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts
Blog
Meat Tax Would Prevent 220,000 Deaths
Posted on by Neal Barnard, MD, FACC
Meat taxes global health. So why not have a meat tax? New research shows that a tax on red and processed meat – such as hot dogs, bacon and deli meat – could save millions of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs.
Researchers from the University of Oxford estimate that in 2020, global meat consumption will result in $285 billion in health care costs and 2.4 million deaths from heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer. But a global meat tax could help prevent 220,000 deaths and decrease health care costs by $41 billion. It would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our findings make it clear that the consumption of red and processed meat has a cost, not just to people’s health and to the planet, but also to the health care systems and the economy,” says Dr. Marco Springmann, the lead author of the study.
A meat tax is certainly a step in the right direction. But eliminating processed meat from hospitals, schools and other public institutions would save even more lives. Health care professionals and educators agree.
Both the American Medical Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend that hospitals remove processed meat from menus – and hospitals are beginning to listen. Earlier this year, Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington both removed hot dogs from patient menus. Now, we’re working on getting hospitals in Washington, DC, to remove all processed meat.
And at the beginning of this school year, Santa Barbara Unified School District in California became the first known school district in the United States to remove processed meat from lunch menus. Other districts may soon follow Santa Barbara’s lead. Earlier this year, members of the New York City Council introduced legislation that would remove processed meat from the city’s school lunches.
Visit PCRM.org to for resources to help hospitals and schools in your community replace processed meat with healthy plant-based options.
Photo from here, with thanks.
← Older Post
Newer Post →
Categories
Humanized Health - NEW!
Learn about personalized health from top experts! Check out our fascinating new shows every week, available as videos, podcasts and transcripts.:
Our Bloggers
-
Paula Gallagher
Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
read more.. -
Margo Gladding
Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
read more.. -
Dr. Neal Barnard
Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
read more.. -
Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
read more.. -
Debi Silber
Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
read more.. -
Teri Cochrane
Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
read more.. -
Dr. Rav Ivker
Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
read more.. -
Susan Levin
Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
read more.. -
Dr. Rob Brown
Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
read more..
Invalid password
Enter