Report: Prevention programs could save state funds
Nebraska could save more than $102 million a year on health care within five years if more money were invested in disease prevention programs, according to a new, nationwide report.
The report released Thursday by the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health says the state would need to invest an additional $10 per resident — an estimated $17.5 million — each year in community-based programs to prevent smoking and increase physical activity and nutrition to see the net savings. Nebraska could see an estimated return of $5.80 for each dollar that’s spent.
The report says disease prevention programs reduce the rates of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancers and other ailments, eliminating or reducing treatment costs down the road.
“Health care costs are crippling the U.S. economy,” said Jeff Levi, the nonprofit’s executive director. “Keeping Americans healthier is one of the most important, but overlooked ways we could reduce these costs.”
The investment cited in the report would be on top of what the state already spends on prevention programs.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services already supports such programs, but spokeswoman Marla Augustine said the agency didn’t know exactly how much it spends annually because that money comes from various divisions.
She also couldn’t estimate the savings because of those programs, saying, “It’s difficult to gauge what you prevent.”
Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state’s chief medical officer, said that while the state’s prevention programs reduce future health costs, it’s hard to quantify that savings. The state theoretically pays less in the future than if health conditions go unchecked, but it doesn’t get money back.
She said one thing is certain: “We would have healthier people.”
The report also says the federal government could benefit from a greater investment in prevention programs. A funding increase of $10 per citizen could save the U.S. more than $16 billion annually within five years, the report says.
The report released Thursday by the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health says the state would need to invest an additional $10 per resident — an estimated $17.5 million — each year in community-based programs to prevent smoking and increase physical activity and nutrition to see the net savings. Nebraska could see an estimated return of $5.80 for each dollar that’s spent.
The report says disease prevention programs reduce the rates of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancers and other ailments, eliminating or reducing treatment costs down the road.
“Health care costs are crippling the U.S. economy,” said Jeff Levi, the nonprofit’s executive director. “Keeping Americans healthier is one of the most important, but overlooked ways we could reduce these costs.”
The investment cited in the report would be on top of what the state already spends on prevention programs.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services already supports such programs, but spokeswoman Marla Augustine said the agency didn’t know exactly how much it spends annually because that money comes from various divisions.
She also couldn’t estimate the savings because of those programs, saying, “It’s difficult to gauge what you prevent.”
Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state’s chief medical officer, said that while the state’s prevention programs reduce future health costs, it’s hard to quantify that savings. The state theoretically pays less in the future than if health conditions go unchecked, but it doesn’t get money back.
She said one thing is certain: “We would have healthier people.”
The report also says the federal government could benefit from a greater investment in prevention programs. A funding increase of $10 per citizen could save the U.S. more than $16 billion annually within five years, the report says.
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