title: Do interventions to prevent lifestyle-related diseases reduce healthcare expenditures? A randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2008, the Japanese government implemented a program of health lifestyle interventions to reduce health care expenditure. This study evaluated whether these interventions decreased health care expenditures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 99 participants insured by Japanese National Health Insurance, who, in our previous study conducted in 2004, were allocated by random sampling into an intervention group (50 participants) and a control group (49 participants). In the intervention group, we used a health support method that facilitated the attainment of goals established by each participant. The control group received instruction in exercise, as well as health support using publically available media. Although 3 participants in the intervention group and 9 participants in the control group did not participate in a follow-up health examination 1 year after the intervention, the health care expenditures of all initial participants were assessed. Expenditures before and after the intervention were compared within and between groups. Data on health care expenditures were obtained from inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, and dental health insurance claims.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, the pharmacy and dental expenditures were significantly higher in the intervention group, while the pharmacy expenditure was significantly higher in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in any medical expenditure item between the intervention and control groups before or after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant differences were observed in short-term medical expenses for any medical expenditure item after a lifestyle intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Administration and Management, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. babazono@hcam.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Babazono
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuwabara
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hagiihara
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nagano
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ishihara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011322:Primary Prevention; D015397:Program Evaluation