Health care costs and lost productivity costs related to excess weight in Belgium

Abstract Background This study aimed to estimate annual health care and lost productivity costs associated with excess weight among the adult population in Belgium, using national health data. Methods Health care costs and costs of absenteeism were estimated using data from the Belgian national health interview survey (BHIS) 2013 linked with individual health insurance data (2013–2017). Average yearly health care costs and costs of absenteeism were assessed by body mass index (BMI) categories – i.e., underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m²), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Health care costs were also analysed by type of cost (i.e. ambulatory, hospital, reimbursed medication). The cost attributable to excess weight and the contribution of various other chronic conditions to the incremental cost of excess weight were estimated using the method of recycled prediction (a.k.a. standardisation). Results According to BHIS 2013, 34.7% and 13.9% of the Belgian adult population were respectively overweight or obese. They were mostly concentrated in the age-group 35–65 years and had significantly more chronic conditions compared to the normal weight population. Average total healthcare expenses for overweight and obese people were significantly higher than those observed in the normal weight population.

Download Full-text

Workplace Health: Engaging Business Leaders to Combat Obesity

The Journal of Law Medicine & Ethics ◽

10.1111/jlme.12108 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (S2) ◽

pp. 40-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tina Lankford ◽

Jason Lang ◽

Brian Bowden ◽

William Baun

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Health Care Costs ◽

Adult Population ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Full Time ◽

Workplace Health ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Workplace Wellness Programs ◽

Care Costs

Worksites are an important setting to promote healthy behaviors as 143 million adults are employed full-time and spend 8-10 hours per day at the workplace. Participation in health promotion programs have been shown to have a “dose response” relationship with health care costs, meaning health care costs decrease as employee involvement in health promotion activities in the workplace increase. Also from the employer perspective, it is important to note that obesity is a risk factor for many other chronic conditions, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer and is known to be related to increase injuries and health care costs. Motivating employees to participate in a number of wellness activities may provide benefits not only for obesity prevention but other desired outcomes such as: risk reduction, risk avoidance, reduced health costs, and improved productivity measures. Employers should be concerned as forecasts suggest that by 2030, 42% of the adult population will be obese. In fact, among employers, the costs of medical expenses and absenteeism increase as employees become more obese. The cost burden of obesity (BMI 30 or greater) ranges from $462-$2,027 among men and $1,372-$2,164 among women in comparison to normal-weight employees. However, halting this trend over the next few decades by maintaining (vs. increasing) current prevalence of obesity could potentially save billions in medical care expenditures related to obesity. Employers can be part of the solution by offering workplace wellness programs and facilitating opportunities for physical activity, access to healthier foods and beverages, and incentives for disease management and prevention to help prevent weight gain among their employees.

Download Full-text

Trends in incidence rate, health care use, and costs due to rib fractures in the Netherlands

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00068-021-01662-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jonne T. H. Prins ◽

Mathieu M. E. Wijffels ◽

Sophie M. Wooldrik ◽

Martien J. M. Panneman ◽

Michael H. J. Verhofstad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

Health Care Costs ◽

Indirect Costs ◽

Rib Fractures ◽

Work Absence ◽

Lost Productivity ◽

The Mean ◽

Using Data ◽

Care Costs

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to examine population-based trends in the incidence rate, health care consumption, and work absence with associated costs in patients with rib fractures. Methods A retrospective nationwide epidemiologic study was performed with data from patients with one or more rib fractures presented or admitted to a hospital in the Netherlands between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018 and have been registered in the Dutch Injury Surveillance System (DISS) or the Hospital Discharge Registry (HDR). Incidence rates were calculated using data from Statistics Netherlands. The associated direct health care costs, costs for lost productivity, and years lived with disability (YLD) were calculated using data from a questionnaire. Results In the 4-year study period, a total of 32,124 patients were registered of which 19,885 (61.9%) required hospitalization with a mean duration of 7.7 days. The incidence rate for the total cohort was 47.1 per 100,000 person years and increased with age. The mean associated direct health care costs were €6785 per patient and showed a sharp increase after the age of 75 years. The mean duration of work absence was 44.2 days with associated mean indirect costs for lost productivity of €22,886 per patient. The mean YLD was 0.35 years and decreased with age. Conclusion Rib fractures are common and associated with lengthy HLOS and work absenteeism as well as high direct and indirect costs which appear to be similar between patients with one or multiple rib fractures and mostly affected by admitted patients and age.

Download Full-text

Insufficient evidence to support claims of benefits from periodontal treatment on health care costs in patients with some chronic conditions and pregnant women

The Journal of the American Dental Association ◽

10.1016/j.adaj.2018.09.015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 150 (3) ◽

pp. e28

Author(s):

Romina Brignardello-Petersen

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Care Costs ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Periodontal Treatment ◽

Insufficient Evidence ◽

Care Costs

Download Full-text

Correction to: Adequate Multivitamin Supplementation after Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Results in a Decrease of National Health Care Costs: a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Obesity Surgery ◽

10.1007/s11695-019-03820-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 2007-2007

Author(s):

Jens Homan ◽

Wendy Schijns ◽

Ignace M. C. Janssen ◽

Frits J. Berends ◽

Edo O. Aarts

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Gastric Bypass ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Health Care Costs ◽

National Health ◽

Cost Effectiveness Analysis ◽

Multivitamin Supplementation ◽

National Health Care ◽

Effectiveness Analysis ◽

Care Costs

Download Full-text

Association between refill compliance to oral bisphosphonate treatment, incident fractures, and health care costs—an analysis using national health databases

Osteoporosis International ◽

10.1007/s00198-013-2365-y ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 24 (10) ◽

pp. 2639-2647 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

K. R. Olsen ◽

C. Hansen ◽

B. Abrahamsen

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Costs ◽

National Health ◽

Bisphosphonate Treatment ◽

Oral Bisphosphonate ◽

Care Costs ◽

Refill Compliance

Download Full-text

Obesity prevalence in Mexico: impact on health and economic burden

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980013000086 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 233-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 105

Author(s):

Ketevan Rtveladze ◽

Tim Marsh ◽

Simon Barquera ◽

Luz Maria Sanchez Romero ◽

David Levy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Costs ◽

Economic Burden ◽

Cumulative Incidence ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Middle Income ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Care Costs

AbstractObjectiveAlong with other countries having high and low-to-middle income, Mexico has experienced a substantial change in obesity rates. This rapid growth in obesity prevalence has led to high rates of obesity-related diseases and associated health-care costs.DesignMicro-simulation is used to project future BMI trends. Additionally thirteen BMI-related diseases and health-care costs are estimated. The results are simulated for three hypothetical scenarios: no BMI reduction and BMI reductions of 1 % and 5 % across the population.SettingMexican Health and Nutrition Surveys 1999 and 2000, and Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006.SubjectsMexican adults.ResultsIn 2010, 32 % of men and 26 % of women were normal weight. By 2050, the proportion of normal weight will decrease to 12 % and 9 % for males and females respectively, and more people will be obese than overweight. It is projected that by 2050 there will be 12 million cumulative incidence cases of diabetes and 8 million cumulative incidence cases of heart disease alone. For the thirteen diseases considered, costs of $US 806 million are estimated for 2010, projected to increase to $US 1·2 billion and $US 1·7 billion in 2030 and 2050 respectively. A 1 % reduction in BMI prevalence could save $US 43 million in health-care costs in 2030 and $US 85 million in 2050.ConclusionsObesity rates are leading to a large health and economic burden. The projected numbers are high and Mexico should implement strong action to tackle obesity. Results presented here will be very helpful in planning and implementing policy interventions.

Download Full-text

Zawieszenie zwrotu kosztów opieki zdrowotnej a dyrektywa transgraniczna

Przegląd Prawa i Administracji ◽

10.19195/0137-1134.105.5 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 105 ◽

pp. 71-84

Author(s):

Paweł Lenio

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Costs ◽

National Health ◽

Border Health ◽

Cross Border ◽

Health Fund ◽

National Health Fund ◽

The Cross ◽

Polish Law ◽

Care Costs

ADJOURNMENT OF REFUND OF HEALTH CARE COSTS IN THE LIGHT OF THE CROSS-BORDER HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVEThis paper outlines the possibility of adjournment of health care costs refund in the light of the cross-border health care directive. The main purpose of this paper is to determine whether cross-border health care Directive has been correctly implemented in the national law. The Directive permits adjournment of refund of cross-border health care costs. It seems that the Directive is not properly implemented into the polish law. The controversy surrounds the act of tying reimbursements to a strict budget in the National Health Fund.

Download Full-text