Economic and public health benefits: The result of increased regular physical activity

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate mathematical algorithms that could quantify the burden of disease in Hungary and to determine the extent of savings in sick-allowance which could be achieved if inactive lifestyles could be reduced. Methods: Data was collected from the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration, the Central Administration for the National Pension Insurance, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, and a national large-sample survey (n = 1158). Direct costs and indirect burden of various diseases were analysed using economic and labour-related assumptions. The distribution of medical cost coverage between the state, households and employees is described, taking Hungarian commodity-and labour market specifics into consideration. We used the method of population Attributable Risk to quantify the possible savings in sick-allowance due to a reduction in inactivity. Results: Comparison of economic burdens of illnesses between 2005 and 2009 decreased in inflationcorrected real terms. Expanding physical activity was a trigger factor, as logistic regression showed significant correlation between regular sporting activity and sick days of the previous year (p = 0.03; Exp (beta) = 0.760). In 2009, 2.3%-23.6% of all workers applying for sick-allowance lived inactively, and 16 billion HUF in sick-allowances could have been saved had the population inactivity rate not been 77%. Calculation of illness-related burden relating to obesity, hyperlipidaemia, high blood pressure, stroke and type-II diabetes related to metabolic syndrome highlights specific areas where increased physical activity could have a positive effect. Conclusion: Only a 10% increase in physical activity would result in more than 28 billion HUF (ca. 73.7 million GBP) savings for the Hungarian economy. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.