Chronic Illness, Including Obesity, in Those 40+ is a Concern for the Economy and for Employers
New MetLife Mature Market Institute Research Examines Health
Behaviors and Offers Best Practices
Those over the age of 40 may be making a negative impact on the future
of the U.S. economy with the way they eat, live and keep track of their
health.
On
the Critical List?: A MetLife Report on the Health Status of the 40+
Population, from the MetLife Mature Market Institute and
co-authored by the Center for Healthy Aging, found that treating
diseases as they emerge runs counter to what individuals should be doing
– focusing on health and wellness. The paper also offers solutions for
individuals, service providers and employers to improve health status,
including the use of technology, implementing wellness and education
programs, and more.
The report says more than a quarter (26.2%) of all American adults are
sedentary, defined as not doing any physical activity outside of work
for 30 days, and just about the same percentage (66 million people) are
obese. Nine percent have diabetes, 30.8% have high blood pressure, a
primary risk for cardiovascular disease. It is also reported that while
the prevalence of disability has decreased for those over 65, there has
been an increase among those over the age of 30. Chronic disease also
leads to disabling falls brought on by such factors as the disease
itself, or medication interactions that impair balance and stability.
Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. and Marta Malone of the Center for Healthy
Aging estimate that obesity increases expenditures by about $1,723 per
year per capita, which means the annual medical burden is nearly 8.5
percent of total annual expenditures, per data from the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
“A lifetime perspective is essential to preserving the health of
generations of Americans,” said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of
the MetLife Mature Market Institute. “For example, a decline in chronic
disease would reduce the prevalence of disability and lead to declines
in associated medical expenditures per year. In the workplace, employers
can play an important role by promoting good health behaviors through
wellness programs. This practice would also help employees become more
engaged and productive in their jobs.”
“As the population ages, it will become even more important to create
policies and programs to help older people maintain their independence,
especially since increasing numbers choose to age in place and are
living alone. This can be facilitated by the use of health monitoring
programs, including tele-health, self-help training and support for
caregivers who provide assistance to those with chronic illness,” said
Dr. Weiss. “As we look ahead, it will be to our advantage to focus on
nutrition and exercise programs for the young and middle-aged. In the
long run, these will reduce health care costs and lead to a healthier
older population.”
Employee health benefits are one of the single largest line items on
profit and loss statements and that line item is growing. From 1999 to
2005, the average employer cost for health insurance rose from $1.60 to
$2.59 per employee per hour, reported the Kaiser Family Foundation in
2009. Research by the Centers for Disease Control (2009) and University
of Michigan Health Management Research Center (2008) has shown that it
is more cost effective to provide preventive health services, such as
exams, screenings, immunizations, health risk appraisals, behavioral
coaching, and health education rather than just the traditional acute
medical services.
Solutions outlined in the report include:
-
Compliance with medication directives to ensure that patients take the
right medication and do not suffer from debilitating interactions.
Also recommended are Personal Medication Dispensing Devices to remind
people to take their medications at the proper times.
-
Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) that can automatically
detect a fall is an advanced technology that can give a person comfort
in knowing that if they fall and cannot even get to a phone or push a
button to get help, a signal will be sent to a response organization.
-
Tele-health and virtual medical care through which patients are in
contact with their health care providers via online programs. These
programs have been noted to reduce admissions to hospitals and long
term care facilities.
-
Health care networks or virtual communities using advanced technology
to provide support and interaction among patients, families and
caregivers with common illnesses and conditions.
-
Proper training of caregivers, whether family members or home health
aides. They should be part of an overall care plan for the patient.
-
Increases in education and health literacy which have been a major
force for improvement in health over time, primarily in the area of
disability. Several researchers have attributed at least 50% of
decline in recent disability among older Americans to change in the
education composition of the population. It also accounts for
increased longevity.
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Workplace Wellness Programs that affect prevention and have an impact
on achieving better health outcomes at lower cost. These are
particularly attractive to employers who lose money when employees
take time off from work due to their own health conditions or those of
family members.
The MetLife Mature Market Institute®
Now in its 16th year, the MetLife Mature Market Institute is
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company's (MetLife) center of expertise in
aging, longevity and the generations and is a recognized thought leader
by business, the media, opinion leaders and the public. The Institute's
groundbreaking research, insights, strategic partnerships and consumer
education expand the knowledge and choices for those in, approaching or
working with the mature market.
The Institute supports MetLife's long-standing commitment to identifying
emerging issues and innovative solutions for the challenges of life.
MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and
employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its
subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in
the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle
East. For more information, please visit: www.MatureMarketInstitute.com.
Center for Healthy Aging
Center for Healthy Aging is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated
to integrate public, private, and philanthropic resources to help
educate and train caregivers, enhance wellness, and provide models of
care that demonstrate efficiencies and cost savings while improving the
quality of life for elders. Our non-profit will provide easy access to
quality of life programs. Our mission is to develop and provide
innovative, effective, and efficient programs that are easily accessible
and designed to improve the quality of life for elders by helping them
maintain independence within their community. “Adding Life to Years.” http://www.addinglifetoyears.com
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