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EDUCATION MATERIALS > 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
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Exercise Results in Lower Healthcare Costs
Elizabeth Quinn, Your Guide to Sports Medicine
Bloomington, MN – New research released by the HealthPartners Research Foundation and published on the October issue of the paper journal Preventive Medicine shows that sedentary adults aged 50 and over, who increase their physical activity can substantially reduce their annual medical costs. The study concluded that inactive older adults who increased their physical activity to 90 minutes per week reduced medical costs by $2,200 per year.
“This is the first time that the impact of changes on physical activity has been associated with changes in health care costs,” said Brian Martinson, Ph.D., of the HealthPartners Research Foundation, and principal investigator. “It’s assumed healthier people have lower costs, but this study shows how much could be saved if those who don’t exercise put minimal effort towards becoming more actice.”
A recent study by the Minnesota Department of Health showed that health care costs rose 16 percent in 2002. According to the Martinson study almost 35 percent of people aged 50 and older lead a sedentary lifestyle. In the most recent census, Minnesota had 1.1 million people aged 50 or older (26 percent of the population), estimating that 385,000 Minnesotans aged 50 and over have little or no physical activity (30 minutes or less per week). By applying the findings of the study to the state population, it would suggest that if those 385,000 increased their weekly physical activity to 90 minutes per week, Minnesota could potentially see a yearly total reduction of $847 million in health care costs.
The Martinson study underscored that the cost benefits can be realized in a very short term. The results showed that inactive individuals who increased their physical activity had substantial reductions in their health care costs within 24 months. The research also showed that those who were already active had very little movement in their health care costs.
Older adults experience a disproportionate amount of illness, especially when coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. This group of the population is at higher risk, or in many cases, already have a cardiovascular or chronic illness, which may result in a sedentary lifestyle. The authors note that because of these other variables, older adults shouldn’t immediately go from a sedentary lifestyle to a vigorous exercise program.
“Someone with little to no activity in their lifestyle should start with a basic low-intensity walking program,” said Nico Pronk, Ph.D., vice president HealthPartners Center for Health Promotion. “The benefits of a walking program are very significant. It’s a good way to introduce physical activity, and can be done at any time with the only cost being a pair of shoes.”
Based partially on the results of this study, the National Institute of Health on Aging has granted Martinson’s group $2.4 million to complete a five-year study designed to help older adults maintain their physical activity. The study will randomly assign active individuals and place them within either an intervention group or a comparison group. The intervention group will receive phone-line consultation and mailings to assist them in being active. This unique approach will provide measures to help find effective and efficient means towards maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle once individuals reach the age of 50.
“Older adults need to stay active,” said Martinson. “Many people start their own physical activity program, but quickly become inactive shortly thereafter. We believe our study will lead to finding the most successful way to keep these people active and healthy.”
HealthPartners is a family of nonprofit Minnesota health care organizations focused on improving the health of its members, its patients and the community. HealthPartners is consumer-governed. HealthPartners and its organizations provide health care services, insurance and HMO coverage to more than 670,000 members.
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Quinn, Elizabeth. "First-Ever Findings: Study Links Moderate Exercise to Reduced Health Care Costs" News Release. October, 2003.
National Institutes of Health Grants $2.4 Million to Expand Study |
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