Spend $1 in prevention, save $5.60

With the housing market spiraling downward, 401(k) investments taking a dive, gas prices over the top, people lining up to pull their money out of banks, and jobs disappearing, the Trust for America's Health has a much-needed bit of optimistic investment advice.

Nationwide, if we spend $10 per person in proven community-based programs to boost physical activity, improve nutrition and prevent smoking, the country could save more than $16 billion annually within five years, according to a report released today. That comes out to a savings of $5.60 for every dollar invested.

The organization's report, "Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities," includes a state-by-state analysis of savings. California, for example, would get a savings of $4.80 for every dollar spent. An investment of $10 per Californian would save more than $1.7 billion within five years.

The report focuses on programs that do not require medical care, such as efforts to add sidewalks and parks in communities; to provide affordable, nutritious food; and to increase tobacco taxes.

Implementing programs related to exercise, diet and smoking reduction have been shown to reduce rates of Type II diabetes and high blood pressure by 5% within two years. Such programs can also reduce heart disease, kidney disease and stroke by 5% within five years, and reduce some forms of cancer, arthritis and lung disease by 2.5% within 10 to 20 years.

"Healthcare costs are crippling the U.S. economy. Keeping Americans healthier is one of the most important, but overlooked ways we could reduce these costs," Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health, said in a news release. "This study shows that with a strategic investment in effective, evidence-based disease prevention programs, we could see tremendous returns in less than five years -- sparing millions of people from serious diseases and saving billions of dollars."

-- Susan Brink

--Illustration: Michael Osburn Tribune Media Services

Comments

[DR]

What's that line?...an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Or in this case, $1 of prevention is worth $4.80 of cure.

Some regional / municipal governments around the world are already taking steps like building outdoor fitness centers in public parks - http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/fitness-alfresco/

Maybe we never should have stopped using the playground at the park.

Or maybe they could build an adult sized playground right next to the kiddie sized one.

[Herman Rutner]

This is welcome news indeed to me and other health conscious individuals, currently still a minority, with little faith in the medical establishment as a means to good health maintenenace. And why should these parties with enormous vested interests seek prevention of disease or illness when their wealth if not their livelihoods depend on a steady flow of sick folk, suffering either from real or imaginary ailments, as paraded in an endless stream of TV commercials and magazine ads.
Hard numbers are finally in on the enormous savings of preventive medicine versus the current emphasis on treatment which will surely disturb the full spectrum of healthcare providers including the FDA. Imagine the adverse economic impact of multibillion dollar savings from preventive medicine practiced by informed individuals!
I hope these new data are eye opening to the multitude, especially older folk on limited incomes, still relying on cures and fixes and not on old fashioned American do-it- yourself reliance to stay well.
Wake up, folks! The days of the benevolent family doctor arriving in a battered Buick at all hours of the night are irretrievable past.
Herman Rutner, retired chemist

[SUSAN SULLIVAN]

This excellent report just published by the Trust for America's Health contains strong evidence that having a National Nurse to lead us in promoting prevention may be extremely cost effective! Nurses are an existing resource in every community, many are bilingual. They are TRUSTED and skilled health promoters. They have knowledge (or know where to get it) and skills to impact behaviors and encourage activity to improve health outcomes. The National Nurse Networking Org has a website at www.nationalnurse.org
that will allow nurses and the public to get more information and become supporters of this practical vision for PRevention.
Susan Sullivan PHN