Preventing heart disease before it starts is a good long-term investment in the health of our nation. A new policy statement published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, points out the cost-effectiveness and value of community-based changes to make it easier to live a healthy lifestyle. The call to action puts an equal amount of responsibility on individuals and on society — specifically federal, state and local policy-makers.
The statement summarizes years of research on the value of investing in prevention:
- Every dollar spent on building trails for walking or biking saves $3 in medical costs.
- Companies that invest in workers’ health with comprehensive worksite wellness programs and healthy work environments have reduced absenteeism, greater productivity, and lower health care costs.
- Initiating a nationwide plan to drastically cut the amount of salt in the food supply to 1500 mg per day may reduce high blood pressure in the country by 25 percent, saving $26 billion in healthcare costs annually.
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American Heart Association president Gordon Tomaselli, M.D. gives a brief summary on the value of primordial and primary prevention for cardiovascular disease.
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American Heart Association president Gordon Tomaselli, M.D. explains the challenges Americans may face to live healthier lives.
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American Heart Association president Gordon Tomaselli, M.D. discusses the importance of improving health through population-based environmental and policy changes that make it easier and cost effective to follow a healthy lifestyle.
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To view a larger version of this video, visit our YouTube channel.
American Heart Association president Gordon Tomaselli, M.D. gives examples on the positive effects that public policies can have in communities to prevent cardiovascular disease.
To view a larger version of this video, visit our YouTube channel.
American Heart Association president Gordon Tomaselli, M.D. says a strong investment in prevention will save both lives and money in the long-term.
To view a larger version of this video, visit our YouTube channel.
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