Re: Diet and Evolution

"Perplexed in Peoria" <jimmenegay@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote

"Malcolm" <regniztar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
So if pregant woman take the vitamin supplements she can reduce her risk
of
a spina bifida baby from 2 in 1000 to 1 in 1000.

Well, actually, she probably needs to be taking the supplement before
pregnancy. As I understand it, by the time pregnancy is diagnosed,
it may be too late.

So if the tablets, herbs or whatever cost twenty pounds (30 dollars)
that's
thirty thousand dollars for each disability prevented. In this case it is
worth it, but only just.

$30,000 for spina bifida? I've heard that medical care is cheaper in
the UK than in the US, but not that much cheaper. Our juries routinely
make $4,000,000 judgements for this level of disability, if caused by
medical malpractice.

If you are going to say that women need to take the supplements before
pregnancy, then assuming that 2-3 % of the population give birth each year,
you have multiplied the cost by a factor of 50. So now we are within
spitting distance of the medical negligence award.

Spina bifida and foltate deficiency might be an exception to the general
rule that supplements are a waste of money. But even in this case it is a
rather dubious use of resources. However the advantage is it doesn't come
directly out of the health budget, so there is adminstrator having to make
the decision between spending on supplements or cancelling hip operations.
In the broad scheme of things, of course, more expensive food means lower
tax take / less money for health insurance and so fewer hip operations.
--
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