Physical inactivity: direct cost to a health plan.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to estimate the total medical expenditures attributable to physical inactivity patterns among members of a large health plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.


METHODS
The study used a cost-of-illness approach to attribute medical and pharmacy costs for specific diseases to physical inactivity in 2000. Relative risks come from the scientific literature, demonstrating that heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, depression, and anxiety are directly related to individual physical activity patterns in adults. Data sources were the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and medical claims incurred in 2000 among 1.5 million health plan members aged > or =18 years. Primary analysis was completed in 2002.


RESULTS
Nearly 12% of depression and anxiety and 31% of colon cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke cases were attributable to physical inactivity. Heart disease was the most expensive outcome of physical inactivity within the health plan population, costing US dollar 35.3 million in 2000. Total health plan expenditures attributable to physical inactivity were US dollar 83.6 million, or US dollar 56 per member.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the growing body of research quantifying physical inactivity as a serious and expensive public health problem. The costs associated with physical inactivity are borne by taxpayers, employers, and individuals in the form of higher taxes to subsidize public insurance programs and increased health insurance premiums.
Health Services Analysis and Reporting, HealthPartners, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440, USA. Nancy.A.Garrett@HealthPartners.com
Nancy A
NA
Garrett
Michelle
M
Brasure
Kathryn H
KH
Schmitz
Monica M
MM
Schultz
Michael R
MR
Huber
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000191:economics; D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000191:economics; D003863:Depression / Q000191:economics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000191:economics; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D017048:Health Care Costs; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000191:economics; D020521:Stroke / Q000191:economics