TONY AT TEN BLOG 9, THEME: LOWERING HEALTH COSTS PART 1

Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy New Year. My hope for this coming year is that we all make a greater effort to take better care of ourselves. I believe this is the first step in gaining control of our burgeoning health care costs. 

Listed below are some interesting conclusions from various readings.

The Cost of Obesity in Canada 

1. Almost one-third of adult Canadians are at increased risk of disability, disease and premature death because of being obese.
   John J. Spinelli, PhD et al.
   
2. The total direct cost of obesity in Canada in 1997 was estimated to be over $1.8 billion. This corresponded to 2.4% of the total health care expenditures for all diseases in Canada in 1997.
   John J. Spinelli, PhD et al.
   
3. It is anticipated that the prevention and treatment of obesity will have major positive effects on the overall cost of health care. 
   John J. Spinelli, PhD et al. 
   
4. Regular exercise has proven benefits in the prevention and treatment of obesity.
   Bouchard C. et al 

 The Cost of Smoking in Canada 

1. Across Canada, without the habit, the health-care system could save upwards of $1 billion a year.
   
2. About seven per cent of our total health-care bill is attributable to smoking, and those costs aren't all racked up in the last years of life
   
3. Research shows that smoking interferes dramatically with recovery from surgery, no matter what puts you in the hospital. 

The Cost of Illicit Drug Use in Canada. 

1. Illicit drug use is associated with costly health, social, and community impacts. The effects of the drugs themselves, mental health issues, high rates of childhood abuse, homelessness, social marginalization, and poverty, all hinder drug users’ abilities to reduce the behaviors that put them at risk of disease and death. The health of drug users is further complicated by avoidance and erratic use of primary care services and over-reliance on emergency rooms and costly acute care.
   Evan Wood, PhD et al.
   
2. Together, the health and enforcement costs are estimated to cost Canadians in excess of $5 billion annually.
   Evan Wood, PhD et al. 

The Cost of Use/Abuse of Prescription Drugs 

The misuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is also an issue that needs to be addressed within our health care system. Over and improper use of these drugs can be just as damaging as illegal drug abuse and just as criminal in nature. When distributed through unregulated channels even the most commonly prescribe drugs are deemed illegal. 

1. Toronto, ON – September 15, 2010 – The Canadian Pain Society (CPS) applauds the Ontario government’s announcement today surrounding the creation of an online prescription monitoring program as part of their Narcotics Strategy - as long as it does not punish people with pain. While it is evident that a growing prescription drug misuse problem exists in Ontario and steps must be taken to combat this issue, it is also important to recognize that the misuse of prescription pain medication is only one symptom of a much larger issue. With six million Canadians suffering from poorly treated pain, health care providers and researchers in the field of pain management are calling for our governments to recognize the rights of people to access appropriate, best-practice, pain treatment.
   CJ Phillips, D Schopflocher et al.
   
2. Chronic pain is among the most disabling and costly afflictions in North America. Estimates place direct health care costs for Canada at more than $6 billion per year for individuals suffering from chronic pain - By 2025, with the aging of our population, these costs can be expected to rise to $10.29 billion per year.
   CJ Phillips, D Schopflocher et al.
    
3. The most abused of all drugs are “psychotropic drugs,” those that change the way a person thinks, feels or acts. Many such drugs are prescribed in Canada each year to relieve pain, to calm nervousness, or to aid sleep.
   Nancy Miller Chenier, Federal Political and Social Affairs Division 

Where Do We Start 

Better and safer work and home environments can lower health care costs, but we as individuals have the power to make healthier choices. Whether it’s increasing your exercise or activity levels, making more health conscious food choices or finding positive ways to relieve unwanted stress, it’s often the small and simplest changes that can make the difference.