Image source: Chris Mcandrew, CC BY 3.0
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced an investment of £20 million in anti-obesity research, with an indication that some of this will go to the development of digital tools.
It said it is taking the step in an effort to reduce the cost to NHS England of dealing with obesity, which is currently estimated at £6 billion per year and projected to rise to over £9.7 billion by 2050.
While providing little detail of the technology, the announcement said it could involve apps and online portals to encourage lifestyle changes.
DHSC is planning to run a competition early next year to identify sites to deliver the research, which will be focused outside of London and the South-East in areas where obesity rates and health disparities are highest.
Fast track
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We are fast tracking the most promising treatments and technologies to NHS patients to help them achieve a healthy weight, save the NHS billions of pounds and increase life expectancy.
“We are determined to harness the full potential of innovative medical breakthroughs to level up the health of the nation.”
