Physical inactivity caused economic burden depends on regional cultural differences

Abstract

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for numerous non‐communicable diseases which dominate the overall burden of disease in Switzerland. We aimed to estimate the burden attributable to adult physical inactivity in Switzerland and its three culturally different language regions from a societal perspective in terms of disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs), medical costs, and productivity losses. The burden of physical inactivity was estimated with a population attributable fractions (PAFs) approach. PAFs were calculated based on the prevalence of physical inactivity in the Swiss Health Survey and literature‐based adjusted risk ratios of disease incidence. These PAFs were then applied to the total burden of the diseases related to physical inactivity. Physical inactivity was responsible for 2.0% (95%CI 1.7%‐2.2%) of total DALYs lost and 1.2% (95%CI 1.0%‐1.3%) of total medical costs in 2013. This is equivalent to 116 (95%CI 99‐135) Swiss francs per capita per year. Productivity losses were valued at 117 (95%CI 94‐142) Swiss francs per capita per year. The two diseases which caused the highest economic burden were low back pain and depression. The analysis of regional differences revealed that the per capita burden of physical inactivity is about twice as high in the French‐ and Italian‐speaking regions compared to the German‐speaking region. Reasons include a higher prevalence of physical inactivity, higher per capita health care spending, and higher disease prevalence. Cost‐effectiveness analysis of related interventions should consider regional differences for optimal resource allocation in physical activity promotion policies.

Telephone-Based Coaching and Prompting for Physical Activity: Short- and Long-Term Findings of a Randomized Controlled Trial (Movingcall)

“…Resulting inactivity is associated with a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases including cardio-vascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, some cancers or depression [1]. Given the increasing cost of non-communicable diseases [7,8], effective PA promotion programs designed to help individuals reach a physically active lifestyle are needed.…”

Physical Activity Interventions for Primary Prevention in Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trial-Based Economic Evaluations

“…Although such more intensive interventions may not be cost-effective at the population level, they may be cost-effective in more targeted populations [17]. In Switzerland for example, we see a higher prevalence of physical inactivity in the French-and Italian-speaking language regions compared to the Germanspeaking region [33]. In addition, populations with lower socioeconomic status show higher Although this is a positive effect, it can be considered a relatively low incremental physical activity gain that is not sufficient to lead to substantial health benefits [67].…”

The Impact of Regional Culture on the Psychological Characteristics, Startup Behaviors and Regional Economy of Modern Chinese Business Gangs

“…As an informal institution, culture has great power and can gradually influence the main bodies of regional development, which in turn influence all aspects of social and economic development. Thus, culture constitutes the background and context of regional economic development ( Mattli et al, 2019 ). By influencing entrepreneurs’ psychological characteristics and startup behaviors, regional culture makes enterprises participate in regional economic cycle and become an important factor for sustainable regional economic development and regional characteristics.…”