More Evidence of the Prevention Opportunity

Monday, November 29, 2010 | , , , , , | 0 comments »

I’ve written in the past about the need for specialist health care organizations (such as behavioral health organizations) to reposition themselves in an era of changing technology, science, and financing. There are many possible directions for repositioning – from primary care for individuals with chronic conditions; focused disease management programs for consumers with multiple chronic diseases and complex social support needs; and program to address unnecessary use of high-cost acute care interventions.

Now comes yet another study on the cost savings opportunities of prevention efforts in two areas – high blood pressure and diabetes. The study authors concluded that reducing the prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure by five percent would save the nation about $9 billion a year in the short term. In addition, conditions related to those health problems would also be reduced, which would increase the savings to about $24.7 billion a year in the medium term.

The study was conducted using 2003-2005 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.   Study results were released on-line on November 18, and are scheduled to be published in the January print issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

This is data that can be the foundation for designing (and marketing) prevention programs.   For more on the evolving wellness and prevention market, check out these recent articles by our team:

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