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Report Finds Community-Based Disease Prevention Saves California Money and Improves Californians' Health

Posted on: Thursday, 23 October 2008, 09:00 CDT

At a time when the state is struggling with increasing deficits and decreasing revenues, and many Californians are scrambling to keep their homes while balancing an array of expenses that are increasing faster than the rate of inflation, a new report finds that if California were to invest in community-based disease prevention programs both the state and private health insurance payers could save significant amounts in health care costs annually.

In its report - commissioned by The California Endowment - entitled Prevention for a Healthier California: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities, the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and Prevention Institute and the Urban Institute find that an investment of just $10 per person per year in proven community-based disease prevention programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could save California's health care system more than $1.7 billion within five years. This represents a return of $4.80 for every dollar spent.

Furthermore, in 10-20 years the savings could grow to more than $1.9 billion annually, which would be a return of $5.40 for every $1 invested.

"Health care costs are weighing heavily on the state's economy and Californians feel the burden now more than ever before," said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. "Keeping Californians healthy is one of the most important, yet overlooked ways we could reduce these costs. Health care reform must include a real commitment to preventing disease."

The report estimates that after five years of investing $10 per person per year in proven community-based disease prevention programs, the net Medi-Cal savings for the state would be $84 million annually and private payer and consumer out-of-pocket net savings would amount to more than $1 billion annually.

"Currently, our health care dollars are spent primarily on treating disease rather than preventing it. At the same time, we've seen dramatic increases in the rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes and a host of other preventable diseases and conditions, not to mention exorbitant increases in health care spending over the last 20 years," said Barbara Masters, Public Policy director for The California Endowment. "This report provides strong evidence that community-based prevention must be an essential piece of the state and national health care reform discussions."

"Community-based disease prevention" should not be confused with what most health care providers understand as "preventive medicine." Preventive medicine is often associated with procedures such as prostate cancer screenings, pap smears, mammograms and other medical procedures that often identify disease or conditions that serve as precursors to the development of a disease.

Community-based disease prevention programs are things that impact health outside of the doctor's office, such as planning communities to have sidewalks to encourage walking; keeping school athletic facilities open after normal school hours so that youth have a safe haven to engage in physical activity; making fresh fruits and vegetables easily available in communities where there are few or no supermarkets; and implementing local ordinances that prohibit smokers from lighting up in public areas, among many others.

The report provides a number of specific examples of proven community-based disease prevention programs that have resulted in health improvements in communities. In addition, the report provides a number of recommendations to gain support and funding for these successful, cost-effective programs.

Trust for America's Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. Learn more by visiting www.healthyamericans.org.

The Urban Institute gathers data, conducts research, evaluates programs, offers technical assistance overseas, and educates Americans on social and economic issues -- to foster sound public policy and effective government. Learn more by visiting www.urban.org.

Prevention Institute is a non-profit national center dedicated to improving community health and well-being by building momentum for effective primary prevention. Primary prevention means taking action to build resilience and to prevent problems before they occur. The Institute's work is characterized by a strong commitment to community participation and promotion of equitable health outcomes among all social and economic groups. Since its founding in 1997, the organization has focused on injury and violence prevention, traffic safety, health disparities, nutrition and physical activity, and youth development. Learn more by visiting http://www.preventioninstitute.org.

The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. The Endowment makes grants to organizations and institutions that directly benefit the health and well-being of the people of California. To date, The Endowment has awarded over 10,000 grants across California totaling more than $1.8 billion. For more information, visit The Endowment's Web site at www.calendow.org.

Source: Business Wire

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