Financial Impacts of Obesity & Prevention National Association of state human services finance officers July 31, 2014
1 Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future, 2013.
References: BRFSS (adults), YRBS (adolescents), PEDNSS (children).
Obesity is a costly burden for the people of Kentucky. Being overweight or obese greatly increases the risk of developing other chronic diseases and expensive health conditions, such as: Diabetes Stroke Arthritis Sleep Apnea Asthma Heart attack Cancers
Obese people spend 42 percent more on healthcare costs than healthy weight people. The majority of the spending is generated from treating obesity-related diseases such as diabetes. References: Finklestein, E. & Zuckerman, L. The Fattening of America: How the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and what to do about it, 2008. United Health Foundation, American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention. The Future cost of Obesity: National and State Estimates of the Impact of Obesity on Direct Health Care Expenses, 2008 http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/what_we_do.aspx?id=82 http://fasinfat.org/facts-economic-costs-of-obesity
Obesity in the Workplace Obesity-related job absenteeism costs $4.3 billion annually. As a person's BMI increases, so do the number of sick days, medical claims and healthcare costs associated with that person. Obese employees had $51,091 in medical claims costs per 100 full-time employees, costs for medical claims for healthy-weight workers was &7,503.was $7,503. http://fasinfat.org/facts-economic-costs-of-obesity
Why are low-income and food insecure people vulnerable to overweight and obesity? Limited resources Lack of access to healthy, affordable foods Fewer opportunities for physical activity Cycles of food deprivation & overeating High levels of stress Greater exposure to marketing of junk food Limited access to health care http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/why-are-low-income-and-food-insecure-people-vulnerable-to-obesity/
CDC Target Areas to Prevent Obesity Increase physical activity Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables Decrease the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages Increase breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity Reduce the consumption of high energy dense foods Decrease television viewing
Best Practices for Reducing Obesity at the Community Level
Trust for America’s Health, Shaping Kentucky’s Future Every $1 spent on bike trails and walking paths saves an estimated $3 in health costs.
--Shaping KY’s Future, Local Success Stories “It’s amazing how much the business sector has told us that it’s the bike trails, hiking and recreation that set Berea apart. It is hard to overestimate how much this kind of infrastructure brings to a community.” --Shaping KY’s Future, Local Success Stories
KY Worksite Wellness Tax Credit – A Health Impact Assessment What are the effects of a worksite wellness tax credit on: Nutrition, physical activity and obesity levels of children whose parents receive worksite wellness services Jobs Social Cohesion KY Worksite Wellness Tax Credit – A Health Impact Assessment www.fitky.org
Every $1 spent on wellness programs saves a company about $6 in medical and absenteeism costs.
http://www1. agric. gov. ab. ca/$Department/deptdocs http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/ba3468a2a8681f69872569d60073fde1/593337cbd907813a8725782c0058ae97/$FILE/Local-Food-A-Rural-Opp.pdf Buying locally strengthens regional economies, supports family farms, provides delicious, "fresh - from-the-field" foods for consumers, preserves the local landscape, and fosters a sense of community.
Better Bites healthy cafeteria options in Kentucky state government buildings. American Heart Association Shaping Kentucky’s Future, A Community Guide to Reducing Obesity Every $1 spent on year-long nutrition and physical activity programs saves $1.17 in medical expenses.
Elaine Russell MS RD Obesity Prevention Program Coordinator Kentucky Department for Public Health Elaine.Russell@ky.gov