10.01.04
Preliminary results of a study conducted by The Lewin Group, Falls Church, VA, a national healthcare and human services consulting firm owned by Quintiles Transnational, indicate that certain dietary supplements have the ability to positively affect health status and could have a significant impact on healthcare costs. The study, which was sponsored by the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA), provides an extensive review of the research literature concerning the health benefits of selected dietary supplements and an evaluation of related cost savings. Noting the implications of the study, the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness called a Congressional hearing on September 22nd to review results. As we went to press, Lewin Group researcher Allen Dobson, Ph.D. was expected to testify, along with Jeff Blumberg, Ph.D., professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Associate Director of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, and Barbara Levine, Ph.D., associate clinical professor of Nutrition in Medicine and director of the Nutrition Information Center at Weill Medical College of Cornell University-New York Presbyterian Hospital. Several celebrities were also expected to be present, including actress Marilu Henner and golf commentator Ken Venturi. A write-up of the post-hearing press conference will be available in the November issue of Nutraceuticals World.