Tax on sugary drinks will benefit residents

While medicine continues to advance with breakthrough treatments and medicines, we are still losing the war against obesity. Poor nutrition, combined with a lack of physical activity, take a heavy toll on the health of our communities. Obesity is linked to a host of medical problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Too much sugar can also lead to tooth decay and related gum and tissue infections.

As the Cook County penny-per-ounce sugary drink tax takes effect today, evidence in other localities suggests that we will see calorie and sugar consumption go down, county revenues go up and, over time, our county residents will see savings in health care costs directly tied to obesity and its related conditions.

Over 25 percent of Cook County residents are estimated to be obese and about 30 percent of children in Chicago alone have overweight or obesity.

Cook County Health and Hospitals Systems currently spends $200 million a year treating obesity-related illnesses. That cost will only grow if we don't act now.

Sugary drinks are the No. 1 source of added sugar in the American diet and account for approximately half the unnecessary calories we consume. It's the No. 1 culprit as well as the easiest thing to remove from the equation. The tax will encourage people to think about their drink.

We need to get beyond talking about the obesity problem and make visible and measurable improvements in our county's health. Don't turn back now.

Alvia Siddiqi, Chair of the Board

Illinois Academy of Family Physicians

Inverness