$20 Billion in lifetime costs for injuries
$538 for every resident. 8152 deaths due to injury and chronic conditions in 2010.
$98 Billion spent on the top chronic health conditions in 2010
28,757,130 cases of the top six chronic conditions in 2010.
1 OUT OF 5 CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY
Low-income communities and communities of color have a greater burden of chronic disease & injury due to historical injustices and:
- Limited access to physical activity
- Unhealthy food environments
- Unsafe streets
- Aggressive marketing of harmful products
- Lack of affordable housing
- High unemployment & poverty
PREVENTION SAVES LIVES AND MONEY
Restrictions on marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children would prevent 129,000 children from becoming obese nationally and save $31 in health care costs for every dollar invested over ten years.
Investing in trails for walking and cycling, changing zoning to promote their construction, and funding programs to promote active transportation can save money. In one study the annual cost per trail user was $235 while the per capita annual health care cost of physical inactivity was $622.
Exercise programs for seniors can reduce injuries from falls. Fall prevention community programs cost $100 to $200 per participant and save on average from $346 to $634 per participant in health care costs from avoided falls.
STATE WELLNESS TRUSTS IN ACTION
PROGRAM | Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (2000- present) | Minnesota State Health Improvement Plan (2008-present) | Massachusetts Prevention and Wellness Trust (2012-2016) |
FUNDING SOURCE | Earnings from Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement funds. | Tax on healthcare providers and health insurance premiums. | One time fee on large public hospital systems and insurers. |
FUNDING AMOUNT | $46 million in 2016 ($11.70 per capita) | $35 million bi-annually in 2015 ($3.20 per capita) | $57 million over 4 year pilot ($2.10 per capita) |
RECIPIENTS | Local health departments, community-based organizations, schools, and research centers through sustained direct allocations and competitive grants. Fund covers 94% of population. | All local health departments and tribal partners through sustained direct allocations. Fund covers all counties. | Nine regional partnerships of clinical providers and community agencies through competitive grants. Fund did not reach entire state. |
RESULTS | Smoking declined 32% among adults and 45% among youth from 2001-2016, ten times faster than similar states, with $1.2 billion in direct medical costs for tobacco avoided. Research centers attract $3 for every $1 invested. | Smoking declined 31% among 11th graders from 2013-2016. Adult smoking declined 31% between 1999-2014. Adult obesity now firmly below neighboring states. Increased access to healthy food and physical activity for 339,000 students from 2013-2015. | Pilot reached over 372,000 people. Decline in prevalence of pediatric asthma. Decrease in number of and hospitalizations for senior falls. Increase in controlled and treated hypertension. Reduction in blood pressure. |