The True Cost of Poor Health

healthcare provider measuring a patient's blood pressure

course syllabus for Your Well-Being online health and wellness education course

Course Outline

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand how chronic diseases create a substantial financial burden on individuals, businesses, and society, and identify how preventive healthcare and wellness practices can mitigate these costs.

Behavioral Objective

Incorporate preventive health strategies, such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management, into daily life to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses and their associated costs.

Key Thought

Preventive health is a powerful investment that improves quality of life while reducing the financial and societal toll of chronic diseases.

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand how chronic diseases create a substantial financial burden on individuals, businesses, and society, and identify how preventive healthcare and wellness practices can mitigate these costs.

Behavioral Objective

Incorporate preventive health strategies, such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management, into daily life to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses and their associated costs.

Key Thought

Preventive health is a powerful investment that improves quality of life while reducing the financial and societal toll of chronic diseases.

Terms

Absenteeism

noun

The practice of regularly staying away from work or school due to illness or other health-related issues, leading to lost productivity and economic costs.

Chronic Disease

noun

A long-term health condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity, that progresses slowly and often requires continuous medical management.

Functional Medicine

noun

A medical approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease, emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle changes, and holistic treatment of the whole person rather than just the symptoms.

Inflammation

noun

The body's natural response to injury, infection, or stress. While acute inflammation aids healing, chronic inflammation can damage tissues and contribute to conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.

Presenteeism

noun

The practice of attending work despite being ill, leading to decreased productivity and increased risk of spreading illness. This behavior often costs businesses significantly due to reduced efficiency and poor health outcomes.

Preventive Healthcare

noun

Proactive measures, such as regular screenings, vaccinations, and healthy lifestyle choices, aimed at preventing diseases or detecting them early to reduce health risks and associated costs.

Wellness Economy

noun

The global industry encompassing sectors like fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and workplace wellness, valued at over $4.5 trillion, focusing on improving physical, mental, and social well-being.

Workplace Wellness Programs

noun

Initiatives offered by employers to improve employee health and well-being, often including fitness incentives, mental health support, and resources for stress management to boost productivity and reduce absenteeism.

Terms

Absenteeism

noun

The practice of regularly staying away from work or school due to illness or other health-related issues, leading to lost productivity and economic costs.

Chronic Disease

noun

A long-term health condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity, that progresses slowly and often requires continuous medical management.

Functional Medicine

noun

A medical approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease, emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle changes, and holistic treatment of the whole person rather than just the symptoms.

Inflammation

noun

The body's natural response to injury, infection, or stress. While acute inflammation aids healing, chronic inflammation can damage tissues and contribute to conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.

Presenteeism

noun

The practice of attending work despite being ill, leading to decreased productivity and increased risk of spreading illness. This behavior often costs businesses significantly due to reduced efficiency and poor health outcomes.

Preventive Healthcare

noun

Proactive measures, such as regular screenings, vaccinations, and healthy lifestyle choices, aimed at preventing diseases or detecting them early to reduce health risks and associated costs.

Wellness Economy

noun

The global industry encompassing sectors like fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and workplace wellness, valued at over $4.5 trillion, focusing on improving physical, mental, and social well-being.

Workplace Wellness Programs

noun

Initiatives offered by employers to improve employee health and well-being, often including fitness incentives, mental health support, and resources for stress management to boost productivity and reduce absenteeism.

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Related Content

Introduction

Before diving into the solutions offered by the wellness economy, it's essential to understand the staggering costs of poor health. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity extend far beyond personal well-being, placing immense financial and societal burdens on families, businesses, and governments. These challenges highlight the critical need for preventive care and healthier lifestyle choices as a collective responsibility.

The Burden of Chronic Illness

In the U.S., healthcare spending exceeded $4.5 trillion in 2022, but much of this expenditure addresses symptoms rather than root causes. Chronic illnesses dominate this landscape, requiring extensive resources to diagnose, manage, and slow disease progression. By investing in preventive healthcare and lifestyle changes, individuals and society can significantly reduce these costs while enhancing quality of life.

According to the CDC, 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. suffer from at least one chronic illness, with 4 in 10 managing two or more.¹ These alarming statistics underscore the urgency of proactive measures to reduce the prevalence and impact of these conditions.

Preventive healthcare offers a path toward a more affordable and sustainable future.

The Economic Impact of Specific Diseases

Diabetes

The financial toll of diabetes is staggering. In 2022, people with diabetes faced an average annual medical costs of $19,736, of which $12,022 was directly related to diabetes.²

Beyond medical expenses, the diabetic community's major contributors to indirect costs are reduced employment due to disability ($28.3 billion), presenteeism ($35.8 billion), and lost productivity due to 338,526 premature deaths ($32.4 billion).³ With 90-95% of diabetes cases linked to preventable lifestyle factors, the potential for prevention is immense, empowering individuals to take charge of their health and finances.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's care is another growing challenge. In 2024, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias will total an estimated $360 billion. Average per-person Medicare spending for seniors with Alzheimer's is 2.8 times higher than average per-person spending for all other seniors.⁴ Early detection and lifestyle changes offer opportunities to slow disease progression and reduce these mounting expenses.

Heart Disease and Stroke

Heart disease and stroke account for 1 in 3 U.S. deaths and cost our healthcare system $254 billion per year, causing $168 billion in lost productivity on the job.⁵ Yet, research suggests that 80% of these cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, regular physical activity, and stress management. These statistics highlight prevention's power in reducing health and economic burdens.

Obesity

Obesity, a key driver of chronic conditions, contributes to significantly higher medical costs-50-100% more than those incurred by individuals at a healthy weight. Beyond healthcare expenses, obesity-related absenteeism costs U.S. businesses $4.3 billion annually.⁶ Studies indicate that reducing body weight by just 10% could save an individual $2,200-$5,000 per year in medical expenses, emphasizing the financial benefits of lifestyle improvements.

The Broader Costs of Poor Health

A Sick Workforce

Chronic illnesses impact businesses profoundly. Employee absenteeism due to poor health costs U.S. employers $225.8 billion annually, with an additional $150-$250 billion lost to reduced productivity from employees working while sick ("presenteeism").⁷ Investing in workplace wellness programs can mitigate these costs while fostering a healthier, more engaged workforce.

Mental Health and Chronic Illness

Chronic diseases often coincide with mental health challenges, creating a costly cycle. Globally, mental health issues could cost the economy $16 trillion by 2030.⁸ In the U.S., depression alone results in 200 million lost workdays annually, costing $53 billion in lost income. Addressing mental health through lifestyle changes and preventive care can alleviate economic and personal hardships.

Investing in Prevention

The financial burden of poor health is undeniable, but it is not inevitable. Individuals can reduce their risk of chronic diseases and associated costs by prioritizing prevention-through healthier eating, regular physical activity, stress management, and routine screenings. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, both for our health and wallets.

Citations:

¹ Chronic Diseases in America. CDC.

² Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2022. PubMed.

³ Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2022. Diabetes Journals.

⁴ Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer's Impact Movement.

⁵ Chronic Disease Data and Statistics. CDC.

⁶ Absenteeism Costs Associated with Obesity. PubMed.

⁷ Illness in the Workplace: Calculating the Cost. CloroxPro.

⁸ The Global Mental Health Crisis: 10 Numbers to Note. Project HOPE.

Understanding the True Cost of Poor Health

Explore the financial burden of chronic illnesses with "The True Cost of Poor Health Quiz." Test your knowledge on the economic impact of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, and learn how preventive health measures can help reduce these costs. Take the quiz to deepen your understanding of the true cost of poor health and the importance of adopting healthier lifestyle choices.

Health Cost Calculator

Objective: Help participants estimate the financial impact of chronic illness on their lives.

Use an online health cost calculator to estimate potential medical expenses based on personal health conditions or lifestyle choices.
Compare the estimated costs of living with a chronic illness versus investing in preventive health measures.
Reflect on how these costs impact your long-term financial planning and consider adjustments to your lifestyle that could reduce potential healthcare expenses.

Personal Health Audit

Objective: Encourage participants to assess their current health status and potential financial risks.

Conduct a personal health audit by listing any chronic conditions, medications, and healthcare services you currently use.
Calculate your monthly or annual healthcare costs, including doctor visits, medications, insurance premiums, and lost income from missed work.
Identify areas where preventive measures (e.g., improved diet, exercise, stress management) could reduce these costs.

Budgeting for Health

Objective: Help participants create a budget that prioritizes health and wellness investments.

Create a budget that allocates funds toward healthier lifestyle choices, such as purchasing whole foods, gym memberships, or wellness programs.
Compare this budget to your current spending on healthcare-related expenses.
Reflect on how re-prioritizing your budget could lead to better long-term health outcomes and financial savings.

Health and Productivity Journal

Objective: Track the relationship between health and work productivity.

For one week, keep a journal tracking your daily health habits (e.g., diet, exercise, sleep) and note how these habits impact your productivity at work or school.
Record any days when you feel less productive or have to take time off due to illness.
At the end of the week, review your journal to identify patterns and consider how improving your health habits could enhance your productivity and reduce lost income.

Preventive Health Challenge

Objective: Motivate participants to implement preventive health measures.

Choose one preventive health measure (e.g., quitting smoking, improving diet, increasing exercise) and commit to practicing it for one month.
Track your progress, noting any changes in your health, energy levels, and overall well-being.
At the end of the month, assess how this change has impacted your health and consider adopting it as a permanent lifestyle choice.

illustration of diabetes risk factors and complications

A Guide to Diabetes

Do you know that over 37.3 million Americans have diabetes? That's over 11% of the population. But, what is even more alarming is that over 96 million Americans suffer from a condition called pre-diabetes and are not even aware of it.

But, don't worry because diabetes can be managed. So, read on to find out what is diabetes, what are its symptoms, and how you can treat it.

A Stay at Home Wellness Guide

Since the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020, more people are spending time at home. This is impacting all aspects of our life and living including how we eat, exercise, work, further our education, worship, shop, and enjoy entertainment, just to name a few important things. This six part series provides tips and common sense for how we can live a happier and healthier life while spending more time at home, or any other place for that matter.

the words time to make a change written on a sticky note

Creating and Maintaining Healthy, Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

Many of us grapple with chronic stress from financial woes, health issues, and strained relationships. This relentless stress impacts our well-being, making effective management essential. Imagine a life where stress doesn't dominate, healthy habits are seamlessly integrated, and you feel empowered to face challenges. This blog post explores practical, sustainable lifestyle changes to transform stress management, helping you build resilience and improve your quality of life. Discover how to set achievable goals, create supportive environments, and establish routines that promote lasting well-being.

open door that reads Better Quality of Life!

What Does it Really Mean to Live Better?

Our sense of wellbeing depends on a host of factors ranging from our state of health to the level of fulfillment we experience in relationships and in intellectual, spiritual, and occupational pursuits. In short, by seeking to live better, we increase our chances of a happier, healthier life.