August 11, 2008

Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities

A new report, Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities issued by Trust for America’s Health, finds that an investment of $10 per person per year in proven community-based programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually within five years. This is a return of $5.60 for every $1.

Out of the $16 billion, Medicare could save more than $5 billion, Medicaid could save more than $1.9 billion, and private payers could save more than $9 billion.

The economic findings are based on a model developed by researchers at the Urban Institute and a review of evidence-based studies conducted by the New York Academy of Medicine. They found that many effective prevention programs cost less than $10 per person, and that these programs have delivered results in lowering rates of diseases that are related to physical activity, nutrition, and smoking.

The evidence shows that implementing these programs in communities reduces rates of Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure by five percent within two years; reduces heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke by five percent within five years; and reduces some forms of cancer, arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 2.5 percent within ten to 20 years.

Prevention for a Healthier America was developed through a partnership of Trust for America’s Health, The New York Academy of Medicine, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The California Endowment, and Prevention Institute. The full report, which also includes national estimates for savings for two years and ten to 20 years and state-by'state findings, is available on TFAH’s website, www.healthyamericans.org.