The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55245

Robert L Bertera, DrPH, Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Services, 1725 Shilling Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20906, 301 603-1467, berterar@aol.com

Health behaviors have been linked to health and productivity indicators. This study explores 6 modifiable health behaviors in relation to annual illness days and health costs. Analyses were based on health care claims paid and questionnaire responses from 9976 employed individuals ages 22 to 74. The study population was predominantly middle age (mean 45 years) and male (78%). Health costs included lost workday compensation and benefits, and actual health care claims paid in 2002 dollars. Health behaviors included weight control, stress coping, tobacco use, driving safety, mental health coping, and exercise. Respondents with positive health behaviors had lower annual lost workday costs and health care claims compared with those who did not have positive behaviors. For example, health costs were significantly lower for those who maintained desirable weight ($389), coped better with stress ($360), were non-smokers ($314), and who exercised regularly ($174). Health costs and illness days were inversely related to the number of positive behaviors, even after regression adjustments for age and education. Those with 6 positive behaviors experienced 1.7 fewer annual illness days and $866 less in annual health costs compared with those who had 3 or fewer positive behaviors (p<.001). This analysis indicates that behaviors and lifestyle choices are significantly associated with economic indicators that affect individuals, employers and society. These findings suggest that: (1) interventions to manage health care costs need to address a variety of factors that influence complex behaviors and lifestyle choices, and (2) financial evidence demonstrates a basis for investing more in prevention.

Learning Objectives:

• Define how individual behaviors are associated with key measures of health care costs, illness costs, and workplace productivity.
• Articulate the variety and complexity of modifiable behaviors that are associated with health and productivity.
• Apply the findings to policies and programs that may influence employers and communities in a way that increases opportunities for positive health behaviors and lifestyle choices.

Keywords: Economic Analysis, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.