As prepared for delivery.

“Good afternoon. Thank you to the witnesses for being here today to discuss a crucial issue before us, Investing in a Healthier America: Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment.

“Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s cases are skyrocketing. According to the American Cancer Society, in the coming year, we’re expecting to hit a bleak milestone—the first time new cases of cancer in the US are expected to cross the 2-million mark. 

“This daunting number tells me that we need to invest in technologies that will be able to catch these chronic diseases early and often.

“We have another growing crisis on our hands: the skyrocketing diabetes and obesity epidemic. Over 45 percent of our nation’s adults are obese and over 20 percent of our nation’s children are obese. For the sake of ourselves, our children, and our community, we must do better.

“In fact, we are about to eclipse 19 percent of our GDP going toward health care expenditures, while Medicare just surpassed $1 trillion for the first time in history. 

“In Israel, for instance, they live 5 years longer than the average American and spend less than 8 percent of their GDP on health care. We need to learn from other nation’s that are prioritizing prevention and healthy living and lifestyles to ensure our country and people can live longer, healthier, and happier lives. 

“The Joint Economic Committee, led by Congressman Schweikert, is taking the obesity epidemic seriously. In their recent report, the committee found that obesity will result in up to $9.1 trillion in excess medical expenditures and cause the federal government to spend $4.1 trillion over the next 10 years. Obesity-related labor productivity and supply reductions will cost up to $2.8 trillion and $11.9 trillion, respectively. These numbers are staggering, and I appreciate the Joint Economic Committee for taking the time to prioritize fiscal solutions through health care innovation in this area.

“Many times, it is not the fault of individuals and families that struggle with obesity. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t understand what they are eating and drinking on a daily basis. 

“Many families don’t have the time and resources to analyze and read the food labeling to understand what they are really putting in their body. That’s why it’s critical our nation’s medical providers have the tools necessary to educate parents on the importance of nutrition for them and their children.

“To bring awareness to these issues, Congresswoman Gwen Moore and I recently launched the Congressional Preventive Health and Wellness Caucus. Our bipartisan group focuses on prevention, Food as Medicine, exercise, stigma, obesity’s effect on military readiness and physical fitness. I’d like to thank Congresswoman Moore for joining me in this critical initiative, and I urge my fellow members of this subcommittee to join the caucus. 

“The obesity epidemic has also become a national security issue. According to the American Security Project, obesity rates among active duty servicemembers doubled in the past decade. As we face growing threats from our adversaries across the globe, we cannot afford to have an unfit and unhealthy military to address major international dangers. Shockingly, according to the CDC, just over 1 in 3 young adults aged 17-24 are overweight and unable to serve in our military. 

“We are about to hear from a great group of folks who are on the front lines of tackling these chronic conditions and ensuring prevention is a main priority in the medical field. As Senator Frist said in a recent article in Forbes, ‘we all need to prioritize going back to the very basics: the food we put in our body every day.'”