A new report was released in September by Health & Human
Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson that highlights the
significant economic toll that preventable diseases take on businesses
and workers. The report emphasizes the importance of health promotion
as part of business strategies.
“The choices we make about diet, activity and tobacco affect not
only our own lives, but also effect to economic health of our
families, our businesses and even our nation as a whole,” Thompson
says. “More businesses need to recognize that poor health means lower
productivity and higher health insurance costs. Smart business leaders
increasingly are finding that it is the right decision to promote
health education, physical activity and preventative benefits in the
workplace.”
The report summarizes key research findings about the prevalence
and cost of chronic diseases that can be helped with prevention and
health management. Obesity-related health problems cost U.S.
businesses an estimated $13 billion in 1994, including about $8
billion in health insurance costs, $2.4 billion for sick leave, $1.8
billion for life insurance and nearly $1 billion for disability
insurance. Also, the average healthcare cost for people with diabetes
is about $13,243 per person, compared to $2,650 per person for people
without diabetes.
Says the report,”…innovative employers are providing their
employees with a variety of worksite-based health promotion and
disease prevention programs. These programs have been shown to improve
employee health, increase productivity and yield a significant return
on investment for the employer.”
The
report, prevention makes common cents, from HHS’ office of the
assistant secretary for planning and evaluation, is available at
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/prevention.
