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Physical Inactivity, Health Inequity Tops $1 Billion Each

More public health spending could reduce those costs, according to state officials.
July 28, 2016

The estimated benefits of investing in communicable disease control, environmental health and organizational infrastructure in public health could save lives and avert costs associated with illness and death based on national research.

Overall public health spending in California county health departments led to savings of $67 to $88 for every $1 spent, David Solet, with the Oregon Health Authority’s program design and reduction services, told the Public Health Advisory Board.

Applying the model from a 2011 national study to Oregon, a 10 percent increase in total public health spending could result in 15 fewer infant deaths, a 7 percent reduction from current levels, and 202 fewer heart disease deaths, a 3 percent reduction, he said.

National studies show the annual healthcare costs of physical inactivity in Oregon at $1.3 billon with $360 million of that in Medicaid costs, based on average of 22 percent of the state’s population. More than a million Oregon adults don’t hit CDC guidelines for physical activity with more than 566,000 Oregonians sitting almost entirely.

The potential ROI of a 1 percent reduction in healthcare costs associated with physical inactivity would tally to an overall ROI of $8 saved for every $1 spent, Solet estimated.

Although fewer studies look at health inequality, Solet estimated the costs of illness and death due to health inequality in Oregon also at $1.3 billion. Funding to reduce health inequality costs by even 1 percent could save $3 for every $1 spent.

Solet cautioned that the models are “predictions” based on best estimates for Oregon from national studies. Getting the best return from public health spending would come from “funding the right programs,” he added.

Jan can be reached at [email protected].

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