Preventing Chronic Disease: The New Public Health

Jeffrey Levi, PhD

Alliance for Health Reform Briefing

June 10, 2011

Chronic Diseases Require a Look Beyond the Biomedical Model Any discussion of cost containment must

focus on chronic diseases Key behaviors: physical activity, nutrition, and

tobacco use Few clinical preventive interventions

Emphasis on community: policy, systems, education, programs There is a growing evidence base This is prevention and treatment

The Economic case

Prevention for a Healthier America: Financial Return on Investment?

INVESTMENT: $10 per person per year

HEATH CARE COST NET SAVINGS:

$16 Billion annually

within 5 years

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

(ROI):

$5.60 for every $1

With a Strategic Investment in Proven Community-Based Prevention Programs to Increase Physical Activity and Good Nutrition and

Prevent Smoking and Other Tobacco Use

New federal investments Prevention and Public Health Fund

~$375 million for chronic disease prevention FY10-11 Communities Putting Prevention to

Work/Community Transformation Grants Building on evidence based strategies Policy and systems change for lasting effect

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Community Improvement Care Models Group

Exploring steps to improve public health and make communities healthier and stronger by fighting the epidemics of obesity, smoking, and heart disease

National Prevention Strategy Role for prevention across the government and

across sectors “Co-benefits” of using a health frame

Emphasis on creating an environment where people can exercise their personal responsibility to make the healthy choice

Thinking across silos Example: physical activity affects chronic disease, falls

among elderly, depression, drug use, risk for STDs, etc.

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Prevention Viewed As a Money-Saver; And Worth Investing in Even If It Doesn’t Save Money

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Prevention will save us money.

Prevention will cost us money.

Investing in prevention is worth it even if it doesn’t save money b/c it will prevent disease and save lives.

Investing in prevention is not worth it if it doesn’t save money b/c reducing health care costs is most important now.