A038C: Relationship between diet quality and health service utilisation: an updated analysis

Relationship between diet quality and health service utilisation: an updated analysis

Approved: 2021

Collaborators:

Prof Clare Collins
AProf Amanda Patterson
AProf Alexis Hure
Dr Tracy Burrows
Ms Peta Forder
Dr Rebecca Haslam
Dr Jennifer Baldwin
Dr Lee Ashton

Synopsis

This project is about evaluating whether healthy eating is associated with reduced health care costs. So far we have shown consuming a greater variety of vegetables to be associated with lower 10-year and 15-year cumulative Medicare Charges and Claims. We have also previously shown that women whose diet quality worsened over 12 years had higher healthcare costs (Medicare charges) compared with those whose diet quality improved or remained the same. We wish to investigate whether these relationships are strengthening over a greater time period, or not. This research may help to identify appropriate dietary targets associated with reduced health care costs. Further evaluations in other studies are needed so that modelling of potential future cost savings can be conducted. The results will inform a policy brief related to diet quality and healthcare costs over time.