The Economic Burden of Physical Inactivity: A Global Analysis of Major Non-Communicable Disease

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In July 2016, The Lancet published its second Series on physical activity, which presents an update of the field since 2012 when physical inactivity was identified as important a modifiable risk factor for chronic diseases as obesity and tobacco, as well as the largest systematic review on the associations of of sedentary behavior and physical activity with all-cause mortality, and the first global estimate of the economic burden of physical inactivity.

Direct health-care costs and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to physical inactivity  were estimated for coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and colon cancer, and productivity losses were estimated with a friction cost approach for physical inactivity related mortality.

According to a presentation by researchers at Australia’s University of Sydney, physical inactivity costs US taxpayers $27.8 Billion per year. See Ian Lanhart, PhD, MSc, PGCERT, BA, Tweet from the presentation.

Physical inactivity is a nationwide issue, which disproportionately burdens Latinos. Talk to your neighborhood associations, local elected officials, and school boards about creating safe spaces for people to be physically active as a normal part of their day.

Join our network to connect with others in non-traditional settings that are interested in making physical activity accessible.

Physical inactivity cost ~53.8 b/year international $, country specific below https://t.co/TeKEAm8Dcm#PhysAct2016pic.twitter.com/Sid5G0TwZH

— Ian Lahart PhD (@IMLahart) July 28, 2016