American Heart Association favors preventive care at work and elsewhere

Monday, 08 August 2011 16:00

News - Health Care Costs

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A recent American Heart Association (AHA) policy statement, published in the scientific journal Circulation, indicated initiatives which focus on prevention of cardiovascular disease are likely to be cost-effective and healthier than treating conditions after they develop, Cardiovascular Business reported.

According to the source, AHA authors pointed to the increased rates of obesity and diabetes, as well as the way the conditions are afflicting younger individuals, as causes of increased health care costs. The statement noted current direct and indirect costs of cardiovascular disease are already estimated at nearly $450 billion per year, and are predicted to pass $1 trillion per year by 2030.

The AHA authors state that treating cardiovascular disease risk factors, launching lifestyle interventions aimed at decreasing tobacco use and salt consumption, improving diet and encouraging exercise may help decrease the rate of heart disease and related conditions.

According to Cardiovascular Business, AHA believes employers who suffer significant losses each year due to health care costs and decreased employee performance may be able to play an important role through workplace wellness programs.

The statement indicated worksite wellness programs may reduce costs by more than 3 dollars for each dollar spent within the first 12 to 18 months, which may draw interest from businesses currently concerned about health care costs.