According to a report recently released by Trust for America's Health (TFAH), more than half of all Americans currently live with a chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer or stroke. Many of these are preventable.
Based on six case studies, the report found state and local governments are taking steps to encourage workplace, community and school programs that promote health, largely due to the cost of chronic conditions. A study by the Texas comptroller found obesity cost the state about $9.5 billion in 2009 when the healthcare expenses were combined with the cost of lost productivity, absenteeism and disability.
These effects, according to former Texas state health commissioner Eduardo Sanchez, could prove detrimental in another way. When businesses are thinking about where to locate, a workforce with health issues and the resulting cost problems may convince them to go elsewhere.
TFAH executive director Jeff Levi noted workplace wellness and community prevention programs can improve health and productivity at the same time. One executive noted prevention costs are much lower than the expense of treating health issues, making prevention the preferred focus for many employers concerned about rising care costs.
