The Costs of Obesity

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra L. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Wellness Programs ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Financial Impact ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Workplace Productivity ◽  
Care Costs

Each year millions of Americans struggle with obesity and health problems related to it. Despite the focus on health promotion and healthy lifestyles, the obesity epidemic is worsening. Disability, decreased quality of life, greater health care use, decreased workplace productivity, and increased absenteeism may be associated with obesity, leading to higher costs to businesses and society. The financial impact on businesses, especially health care costs to treat obese employees, is staggering. This is a burden for businesses trying to control expenses. Occupational health nurses are key to developing effective wellness programs for employers.

Wellness marketing in the corporate context

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-288
Author(s):  
Faith Bontrager ◽  
Kimball P. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Wellness Programs ◽  
Internal Marketing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Corporate Wellness Programs ◽  
Corporate Wellness ◽  
Care Costs

Purpose This paper aims to provide a literature review of corporate wellness programs to develop recommendations for effective internal marketing of healthy behaviors in work environments. Design/methodology/approach A review of research literature published since 2000 addresses corporate wellness programs’ justifications and best program design practices. Findings Corporate and employee benefits documented in the literature are reviewed and best practices from published literature are identified to guide the design of wellness programs. These include framing clear messages, alignment of corporate culture and business strategy with wellness program goals, senior leader support, clear objectives and evaluation, incorporation of peer support and enjoyable activities, utilization of effective priming for healthy choices and consideration of legal and ethical incentives. Research limitations/implications Further research is needed, including how to frame messages for diverse work groups, how to carry out effective program assessments, what types of marketing appeals are effective, what wellness activities lead to healthy behavior change and how is increased employee productivity related to quality of life. Additional questions include how priming encourages healthy behaviors, what promotes healthy workplace cultures and what social marketing appeals promote healthy behaviors. Practical implications Senior managers can implement findings to create effective wellness programs benefiting employees and firms through improved employee health and productivity and reduced corporate health-care costs. Social implications Effective wellness programs reduce overall health-care costs for society and provide improved participants’ quality of work, personal and family life. Originality/value This research uniquely applies internal marketing, social marketing and marketing exchange concepts to best practices from the wellness literature and applies these to recommendations for effective corporate-based wellness programs.

scholarly journals Pain location matters: the impact of leg pain on health care use, work disability and quality of life in patients with low back pain

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 444-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha L. Hider ◽  
David G. T. Whitehurst ◽  
Elaine Thomas ◽  
Nadine E. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Work Disability ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Pain Location ◽  
The Impact

Dedicated Severe Asthma Services Improve Health-care Use and Quality of Life

CHEST Journal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 870-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gibeon ◽  
Liam G. Heaney ◽  
Chris E. Brightling ◽  
Rob Niven ◽  
Adel H. Mansur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Severe Asthma ◽  
Health Care Use ◽  
Improve Health Care ◽  
Improve Health

scholarly journals Depression, quality of life, and medical resource utilization in sickle cell disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (23) ◽  
pp. 1983-1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soheir S. Adam ◽  
Charlene M. Flahiff ◽  
Shital Kamble ◽  
Marilyn J. Telen ◽  
Shelby D. Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Medical Resource ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Medical Resource Utilization ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Care Costs

Key Points Depression was found in 35.2% of adult SCD patients and was strongly associated with worse physical and mental quality-of-life outcomes. Total health care costs for adult SCD patients with depression were more than double those of SCD patients without depression.

scholarly journals Obesity in older adults: epidemiology and implications for disability and disease

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Samper-Ternent ◽  
Soham Al Snih
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Care Costs

SummaryObesity is a worldwide problem with increasing prevalence and incidence in both developed and developing countries. In older adults, excess weight is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, several important cancers, and numerous other medical conditions. Obesity has also been associated with increased functional limitations, disability, and poorer quality of life. Additionally, obesity has been independently associated with all-cause mortality. The obesity epidemic has important social and economic implications, representing an important source of increased public health care costs. The aim of this review is to report the epidemiology of obesity worldwide, and the implications of obesity on disability and chronic diseases in older adults.

scholarly journals Cerebral palsy in Canada, 2011-2031: results of a microsimulation modelling study of epidemiological and cost impacts

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-37
Author(s):  
Nana Amankwah ◽  
Maryam Oskoui ◽  
Rochelle Garner ◽  
Christina Bancej ◽  
Douglas G. Manuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Health Care Costs ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Care Costs

Introduction The objective of our study was to present model-based estimates and projections on current and future health and economic impacts of cerebral palsy in Canada over a 20-year time horizon (2011–2031). Methods We used Statistics Canada’s Population Health Model (POHEM)–Neurological to simulate individuals’ disease states, risk factors and health determinants and to describe and project health outcomes, including disease incidence, prevalence, life expectancy, health-adjusted life expectancy, health-related quality of life and health care costs over the life cycle of Canadians. Cerebral palsy cases were identified from British Columbia’s health administrative data sources. A population-based cohort was then used to generate the incidence and mortality rates, enabling the projection of future incidence and mortality rates. A utility-based measure (Health Utilities Index Mark 3) was also included in the model to reflect various states of functional health to allow projections of health-related quality of life. Finally, we estimated caregiving parameters and health care costs from Canadian national surveys and health administrative data and included them as model parameters to assess the health and economic impact of cerebral palsy. Results Although the overall crude incidence rate of cerebral palsy is projected to remain stable, newly diagnosed cases of cerebral palsy will rise from approximately 1800 in 2011 to nearly 2200 in 2031. In addition, the number of people with the condition is expected to increase from more than 75 000 in 2011 to more than 94 000 in 2031. Direct health care costs in constant 2010 Canadian dollars were about $11 700 for children with cerebral palsy aged 1–4 years versus about $600 for those without the condition. In addition, people with cerebral palsy tend to have longer periods in poorer health-related quality of life. Conclusion Individuals with cerebral palsy will continue to face challenges related to an ongoing need for specialized medical care and a rising need for supportive services. Our study offers important insights into future costs and impacts associated with cerebral palsy and provides valuable information that could be used to develop targeted health programs and strategies for Canadians living with this condition.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document