Yet Another Reason to Exercise: Lower Health Care Costs

We know exercise is good for our physical and mental health. A new study finds it’s also good for our wallets.

Adults who are completely inactive incur $2,025 more in health care costs per year, while those who are partially active  spend $1,355 more each year, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

In total, researchers calculated that inadequate physical activity accounts for $192 billion in annual health care costs among U.S. adults. That’s 12.6% of total national health care spending.

And yet many of us find it difficult to get moving. Researchers analyzed data from more than 76,000 U.S. adults between 2012 and 2019. Among their findings:

• 52.4% met aerobic activity guidelines.
• 20.4% were “insufficiently” active.
• 27.3% were completely inactive.

“Aerobic physical activity is an investment in health – it strengthens the heart, reduces chronic disease burdens and empowers us to live with energy and freedom,” said Dr. Adam Chen of the University of Georgia ‘s College of Public Health and one of the study’s authors.

OK, what do we need to do?

The Physical Activity Alliance, which promotes policies that encourage movement, recommends the following:

• Track activity just as you track your blood pressure, cholesterol or other health metrics.
• Redesign the workplace to encourage movement.
• Transform communities through policies that make physical activity safe, easy and unavoidable.

What about you? Have you started moving more lately? Have you seen corresponding benefits for your health and health care spending? Share your stories and tips with Voices for Affordable Health.