NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Glasgow, Strathclyde, United Kingdom, 2011/09/07 - UK and US health systems can follow suit and use simulation software to cope with the increase in demand for services - SIMUL8.com.

The Mexican Foundation for Health (FUNSALUD) used SIMUL8 simulation software to understand the economic burden of obesity in Mexican children. FUNSALUD used the findings of their research to determine the shape their health services will need to be to cope with the future demand and costs of associated treatments.

In a recent series of research articles published in The Lancet, obesity was highlighted as a major issue for governments across the world and without state action, health systems would be unable to cope with demand.

The research predicts that by 2030 treatment costs for obesity-associated diseases such as diabetes would increase by $66 billion per year in the US and £2 billion per year in the UK.

While a large part of the research focuses on the prevention of obesity, health systems must prepare now for an increase in demand and re-shape services to cope with impact of treatment costs and delivery.

The use of new technologies was highlighted in the research as key to meeting this future challenge. It states,“Science is a driver of technological innovation and a medium to influence public policy – we need to ensure that the very best science helps us make the best decisions about our future health.”

FUNSALUD has used SIMUL8 simulation software to not only project the future costs of obesity in Mexican children, but to visualize the impact the demand would have on service requirements in the health system and highlight areas for improvement.

Claire Cordeaux, SIMUL8 Lead for Healthcare, said,“With tightening budgets in health systems across the world it is not surprising that Governments are questioning investment in strategies to prevent obesity. Simulation software gives them the ability to understand the impact of the continuing rise in obesity on services and to test prevention interventions.”

The FUNSALUD study projected an incremental increase in costs of 108% and will continue to develop the simulation further to include disease complications and gain a better understanding of the impact on their health system.

Agency / Source: SIMUL8 Corporation

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