As the medical community and society at large struggle with the growing obesity epidemic and increasing numbers of diabetes patients, sugar-sweetened beverage taxes are becoming more common across the country.

While the tax is not a new concept, how best to implement it remains a question.

A recent study published in Circulation looked at three sugar-sweetened beverage tax designs in the United States to see which had the most significant impact on health risks such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study also looked at quality of life issues, including cost effectiveness and quality-adjusted life-years. 

Michell Kaminski, MD, MBA, from the Thomas Jefferson University College of Population Health, told MD/alert that in Philadelphia where he works, there has been a benefit seen in the city’s schools, as well as in the overall population.