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Adam Biener, assistant professor of economics, was quoted in a recent Wall Street Journal article about the preponderance of sugary treats in the office, “Don’t Let Them Eat Cake.”

In the story, Biener, who specializes in health care economics, estimates that U.S. taxpayers spent roughly $660 each in 2016 treating obesity-related illnesses covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

“Most employees like the free doughnuts, cake and other confections that get parked ‘in the usual place’ at work,” states the article. “But exploding rates of obesity and diabetes make sugar more like cigarettes to some employers. Tempting treats are the new secondhand smoke.”

Read the article  (subscription required to access the full article).

Categorized in: Academic News, Economics, Faculty and Staff, Featured News, In the Media, News and Features