Does physical activity reduce seniors' need for healthcare?: a study of 24 281 Canadians.
OBJECTIVE
Physical inactivity has been associated with significant increases in disease morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the association between physical activity and (1) health resource use and (2) health resource use costs.


METHODS
The responses from 24 281 respondents >65 years to the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1 were used to find activity levels and determine health resource use and costs. Logistic regression models were used to assess risks of hospitalisation.


RESULTS
Physical inactivity was associated with statistically significant increases to hospitalisations, lengths of stay and healthcare visits (p<0.01). Average healthcare costs (based on the 2007 value of the Canadian dollar) for the physically inactive were $C1214.15 higher than the healthcare costs of the physically active ($C2005.27 vs $C791.12, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Among those >65 years, physical activity is strongly associated with reduced health resource use and costs.
Woolcott
John C
JC
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Ashe
Maureen C
MC
Miller
William C
WC
Shi
Peilin
P
Marra
Carlo A
CA
D000328:Adult; D001955:British Columbia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior