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Okunogbe A, Nugent R, Spencer G, Ralston J, Wilding J. Economic impacts of overweight and obesity: current and future estimates for eight countries. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e006351. [PMID: 34737167 PMCID: PMC8487190 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a growing public health challenge worldwide with significant health and economic impacts. However, much of what is known about the economic impacts of obesity comes from high-income countries and studies are not readily comparable due to methodological differences. Our objective is to demonstrate a method for estimating current and future national economic impacts of obesity and apply it across a sample of heterogeneous contexts globally. METHODS We estimated economic impacts of overweight and obesity for eight countries using a cost-of-illness approach. Direct and indirect costs of obesity from 2019 to 2060 were estimated from a societal perspective as well as the effect of two hypothetical scenarios of obesity prevalence projections. Country-specific data were sourced from published studies and global databases. RESULTS In per capita terms, costs of obesity in 2019 ranged from US$17 in India to US$940 in Australia. These economic costs are comparable to 1.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) on average across the eight countries, ranging from 0.8% of GDP in India to 2.4% in Saudi Arabia. By 2060, with no significant changes to the status quo, the economic impacts from obesity are projected to grow to 3.6% of GDP on average ranging from 2.4% of GDP in Spain to 4.9% of GDP in Thailand. Reducing obesity prevalence by 5% from projected levels or keeping it at 2019 levels will translate into an average annual reduction of 5.2% and 13.2% in economic costs, respectively, between 2020 and 2060 across the eight countries. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that the economic impacts of obesity are substantial across countries, irrespective of economic or geographical context and will increase over time if current trends continue. These findings strongly point to the need for advocacy to increase awareness of the societal impacts of obesity, and for policy actions to address the systemic roots of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Nugent
- Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases, RTI International, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Garrison Spencer
- Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases, RTI International, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Reber KC, König HH, Hajek A. Obesity and sickness absence: results from a longitudinal nationally representative sample from Germany. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e019839. [PMID: 29880564 PMCID: PMC6009453 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The current study aimed at investigating the longitudinal association between obesity and sickness absence in women and men in Germany. METHODS Data were derived from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) which is a nationally representative, longitudinal study of private households in Germany. We draw on data from 2002 to 2012. Information on self-rated body mass index has been collected every second wave since 2002. Sick leave days (total number of working days missed due to illness in the past calendar year) and sick from work for more than 6 weeks in the preceding 12 months (yes/no) were used as outcome measures. Fixed-effects (FE) regression models were used for the total sample and stratified by sex. Gender differences were examined using interaction terms (sex × weight category). RESULTS Controlling for several potential confounders, Poisson FE regression analysis showed that transitions from normal weight to obesity were associated with an increase in sick leave days in women (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.27, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.57) but not in men (IRR 0.85, 95 % CI 0.68 to 1.06)-with significant gender differences (sex × obesity, p<0.01). Moreover, conditional FE logistic regressions showed that transitions from normal weight to overweight were associated with an increase in the probability of long-term absenteeism in women (overweight, OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.85) but not in men (overweight, OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.09). Gender differences were significant (sex × overweight, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our findings stress the longitudinal association between excess weight and increased likelihood of sick leave days as well as long-term absenteeism in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Christiane Reber
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - André Hajek
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Merz B, Nöthlings U, Wahl S, Haftenberger M, Schienkiewitz A, Adamski J, Suhre K, Wang-Sattler R, Grallert H, Thorand B, Pischon T, Bachlechner U, Floegel A, Peters A, Boeing H. Specific Metabolic Markers Are Associated with Future Waist-Gaining Phenotype in Women. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157733. [PMID: 27322650 PMCID: PMC4920591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our study aims to identify metabolic markers associated with either a gain in abdominal (measured by waist circumference) or peripheral (measured by hip circumference) body fat mass. METHODS Data of 4 126 weight-gaining adults (18-75 years) from three population-based, prospective German cohort studies (EPIC, KORA, DEGS) were analysed regarding a waist-gaining (WG) or hip-gaining phenotype (HG). The phenotypes were obtained by calculating the differences of annual changes in waist minus hip circumference. The difference was displayed for all cohorts. The highest 10% of this difference were defined as WG whereas the lowest 10% were defined as HG. A total of 121 concordant metabolite measurements were conducted using Biocrates AbsoluteIDQ® kits in EPIC and KORA. Sex-specific associations with metabolite concentration as independent and phenotype as the dependent variable adjusted for confounders were calculated. The Benjamini-Hochberg method was used to correct for multiple testing. RESULTS Across studies both sexes gained on average more waist than hip circumference. We could identify 12 metabolites as being associated with the WG (n = 8) or HG (n = 4) in men, but none were significant after correction for multiple testing; 45 metabolites were associated with the WG (n = 41) or HG (n = 4) in women. For WG, n = 21 metabolites remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Respective odds ratios (OR) ranged from 0.66 to 0.73 for tryptophan, the diacyl-phosphatidylcholines (PC) C32:3, C36:0, C38:0, C38:1, C42:2, C42:5, the acyl-alkyl-PCs C32:2, C34:0, C36:0, C36:1, C36:2, C38:0, C38:2, C40:1, C40:2, C40:5, C40:6, 42:2, C42:3 and lyso-PC C17:0. CONCLUSION Both weight-gaining men and women showed a clear tendency to gain more abdominal than peripheral fat. Gain of abdominal fat seems to be related to an initial metabolic state reflected by low concentrations of specific metabolites, at least in women. Thus, higher levels of specific PCs may play a protective role in gaining waist circumference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Merz
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Germany
| | - Ute Nöthlings
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simone Wahl
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Anja Schienkiewitz
- Robert Koch-Institut, Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jerzy Adamski
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Karsten Suhre
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rui Wang-Sattler
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Harald Grallert
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Thorand
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Pischon
- Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Ursula Bachlechner
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Germany
| | - Anna Floegel
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Heiner Boeing
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Germany
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Haftenberger M, Mensink GBM, Herzog B, Kluttig A, Greiser KH, Merz B, Nöthlings U, Schlesinger S, Vogt S, Thorand B, Peters A, Ittermann T, Völzke H, Schipf S, Neamat-Allah J, Kühn T, Kaaks R, Boeing H, Bachlechner U, Scheidt-Nave C, Schienkiewitz A. Changes in body weight and obesity status in German adults: results of seven population-based prospective studies. Eur J Clin Nutr 2015; 70:300-5. [PMID: 26508458 DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2015.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to quantify body weight changes in German adult populations during the past decades. SUBJECTS/METHODS Longitudinal analysis of seven cohort studies covering different age ranges between 18 and 83 years. Baseline examinations were between 1994 and 2007 and follow-up durations between 4.0 and 11.9 years. For each study, mean change in body weight per year and 10-year change in body mass index (BMI) classification were analyzed. For the middle age group of 45-64 years, meta-analysis was conducted to obtain an overall estimate for Germany. RESULTS Among men weight gain was highest in the youngest participants and decreased with advancing age. Among women weight gain was on a stable high level among those younger than 45 years and decreased at older age. Within 10 years, 30-40% of middle-aged participants with normal baseline weight became pre-obese or obese and 20-25% of those with pre-obesity at baseline became obese, whereas >80% of persons who were obese at baseline remained obese over time. The estimated average weight change in adults aged 45-64 years was 0.25 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.18-0.33) kg/year among men and 0.24 (0.17-0.30) kg/year among women. CONCLUSIONS We could observe a moderate weight gain over the past years in German middle-aged populations of 0.25 kg/year. Obesity prevention needs to be targeted to specific subgroups in the population, especially to younger adults, who seem to be most vulnerable for gaining weight. Obesity intervention needs to be improved, as the majority of obese adults remained obese over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Haftenberger
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - G B M Mensink
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - B Herzog
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - A Kluttig
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - K H Greiser
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - B Merz
- Institute for Nutrition and Food Science, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - U Nöthlings
- Institute for Nutrition and Food Science, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - S Schlesinger
- Institute of Epidemiology, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - S Vogt
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - B Thorand
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - A Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Centre for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - T Ittermann
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - H Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,German Centre of Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Greifswald, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - S Schipf
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - J Neamat-Allah
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - T Kühn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - R Kaaks
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - H Boeing
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - U Bachlechner
- Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - C Scheidt-Nave
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Schienkiewitz
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Wahl S, Vogt S, Stückler F, Krumsiek J, Bartel J, Kacprowski T, Schramm K, Carstensen M, Rathmann W, Roden M, Jourdan C, Kangas AJ, Soininen P, Ala-Korpela M, Nöthlings U, Boeing H, Theis FJ, Meisinger C, Waldenberger M, Suhre K, Homuth G, Gieger C, Kastenmüller G, Illig T, Linseisen J, Peters A, Prokisch H, Herder C, Thorand B, Grallert H. Multi-omic signature of body weight change: results from a population-based cohort study. BMC Med 2015; 13:48. [PMID: 25857605 PMCID: PMC4367822 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-015-0282-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excess body weight is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases. The complex molecular mechanisms of body weight change-induced metabolic perturbations are not fully understood. Specifically, in-depth molecular characterization of long-term body weight change in the general population is lacking. Here, we pursued a multi-omic approach to comprehensively study metabolic consequences of body weight change during a seven-year follow-up in a large prospective study. METHODS We used data from the population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) S4/F4 cohort. At follow-up (F4), two-platform serum metabolomics and whole blood gene expression measurements were obtained for 1,631 and 689 participants, respectively. Using weighted correlation network analysis, omics data were clustered into modules of closely connected molecules, followed by the formation of a partial correlation network from the modules. Association of the omics modules with previous annual percentage weight change was then determined using linear models. In addition, we performed pathway enrichment analyses, stability analyses, and assessed the relation of the omics modules with clinical traits. RESULTS Four metabolite and two gene expression modules were significantly and stably associated with body weight change (P-values ranging from 1.9 × 10(-4) to 1.2 × 10(-24)). The four metabolite modules covered major branches of metabolism, with VLDL, LDL and large HDL subclasses, triglycerides, branched-chain amino acids and markers of energy metabolism among the main representative molecules. One gene expression module suggests a role of weight change in red blood cell development. The other gene expression module largely overlaps with the lipid-leukocyte (LL) module previously reported to interact with serum metabolites, for which we identify additional co-expressed genes. The omics modules were interrelated and showed cross-sectional associations with clinical traits. Moreover, weight gain and weight loss showed largely opposing associations with the omics modules. CONCLUSIONS Long-term weight change in the general population globally associates with serum metabolite concentrations. An integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics approach improved the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the association of weight gain with changes in lipid and amino acid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function as well as blood cell development and function.
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Grundmann N, Mielck A, Siegel M, Maier W. Area deprivation and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity: analysis at the municipality level in Germany. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:1264. [PMID: 25495106 PMCID: PMC4301883 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The objective of this study was to analyse the association between area deprivation at municipality level and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity across Germany, controlling for individual socioeconomic status (SES). Methods The analyses are based on a large survey conducted in 2006. Information was included from 39,908 adults aged 20 years or above. Area deprivation was assessed using the German Index of Multiple Deprivation (GIMD) at municipality level. About 4,700 municipalities could be included and assigned to a deprivation quintile. Individual SES was assessed by income and educational level. Multilevel logistic models were used to control for individual SES and other potential confounders such as age, sex and physical activity. Results We found a positive association of area deprivation with T2D and obesity. Controlling for all individual-level variables, the odds ratios for municipalities in the most deprived quintile were significantly increased for T2D (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.12–1.64) as well as for obesity (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.02–1.26). Further analyses showed that these associations were relatively similar for both men and women. Conclusions Based on a nationwide dataset, we were able to show that area deprivation at municipality level is significantly associated with the prevalence of T2D and obesity. It will be important to focus preventive efforts on very deprived municipalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Werner Maier
- Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Neuherberg, Germany.
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Teuner CM, Menn P, Heier M, Holle R, John J, Wolfenstetter SB. Impact of BMI and BMI change on future drug expenditures in adults: results from the MONICA/KORA cohort study. BMC Health Serv Res 2013; 13:424. [PMID: 24139278 PMCID: PMC3854520 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evidence on the long-term economic effects of obesity is still scarce. This study aims to analyse the impact of body mass index (BMI) and BMI-change on future pharmaceutical utilisation and expenditures. METHODS Based on data from 2,946 participants in a German population-based health survey (MONICA/KORA, 1994/95) and the follow-up study (2004/05), drug intake and expenditures were estimated using a bottom-up approach. Using univariate and multivariate methods, we analysed the impact of baseline BMI and BMI-change on drug utilisation and expenditures after 10 years. RESULTS The use of pharmaceuticals was more likely in moderately and severely obese compared to the normal weight group (OR 1.8 and 4.0, respectively). In those who reported pharmaceutical intake, expenditures were about 40% higher for the obese groups. A 1-point BMI-gain in 10 years was, on average, associated with almost 6% higher expenditures compared to a constant BMI. CONCLUSION The results suggest that obesity as well as BMI-gain are strong predictors of future drug utilisation and associated expenditures in adults, and thus highlight the necessity of timely and effective intervention and prevention programmes. This study complements the existing literature and provides important information on the relevance of obesity as a health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Teuner
- Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
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Janßen C, Swart E, von Lengerke T. Health care utilization in Germany: The NWIn research network. PSYCHO-SOCIAL MEDICINE 2012; 9:Doc12. [PMID: 23133506 PMCID: PMC3488808 DOI: 10.3205/psm000090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Janßen
- Munich University of Applied Sciences, Department of Applied Social Sciences, Munich, Germany,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Christian Janßen, Department of Applied Social Sciences, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Am Stadtpark 20, 81243 Munich, Germany, E-mail:
| | - Enno Swart
- Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Economics, Magdeburg, Germany
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