The Economic Impact Of Physical Activity In Different Chronic Diseases: A Regional Cost-saving Pilot Study In Italy

Abstract

PURPOSE: High levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical inactivity (PI) are associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and are responsible for a substantial economic burden. Previous studies acknowledge the cost-effectiveness of physical activity (PA) intervention, but few is known in specific local settings. This study aims to provide cost-saving data of PA intervention in Veneto Region in Italy. METHODS: Pilot study investigating the cost-saving potential of PA in NCDs, in particular in sedentary population. Further percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in coronary artery disease, hospitalisations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), surgery in colorectal cancer and in femur fracture were considered in the evaluation. Disease-specific epidemiological, SB an PA data were obtained from national or regional registries, and relative risks reduction due to PA were derived from literature. Health-care costs were assessed using Veneto Region data from Diagnosis Related Groups reports. For each NCD, costs reduction due to PA intervention were calculated. All costs were expressed in Euros (€). RESULTS: Estimated cost-savings that would result from PA intervention could amount to: 10.320.249 € in the whole population and 3.199.277 € in the inactive population for further PCI; 5.671.016 € in the whole population and 2.035.895 € in the sedentary population for hospitalisations in COPD; 6.805.326 € in the whole population and 1.810.217 € for bowel resection in colorectal cancer; 3.020.567 € in the whole population and 803.471 € in the sedentary population for surgery intervention in femur fracture. Veneto Region Health System could save per year between 5.716.008 €, in a more conservative analysis considering just the sedentary population, and 18.936.992 € in a less conservative one. CONCLUSIONS: PA interventions seem to be cost-saving in Veneto Region if direct health-care costs are considered. It can be assumed that taking into account indirect costs would have an even greater effect. Veneto Region should seriously consider investing in PA implementation to improve the health of its citizens and to save public money.