A1 Journal article (refereed)
Economic burden of low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour in Finland (2022)
Kolu, P., Kari, J. T., Raitanen, J., Sievänen, H., Tokola, K., Havas, E., Pehkonen, J., Tammelin, T. H., Pahkala, K., Hutri-Kähönen, N., Raitakari, O. T., & Vasankari, T. (2022). Economic burden of low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour in Finland. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 76(7), 677-684. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2021-217998
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kolu, Päivi; Kari, Jaana T; Raitanen, Jani; Sievänen, Harri; Tokola, Kari; Havas, Eino; Pehkonen, Jaakko; Tammelin, Tuija H; Pahkala, Katja; Hutri-Kähönen, Nina; et al.
Journal or series: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
ISSN: 0143-005X
eISSN: 1470-2738
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 26/04/2022
Volume: 76
Issue number: 7
Pages range: 677-684
Publisher: BMJ
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2021-217998
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80864
Abstract
Methods The authors examined the direct and indirect costs attributable to low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour in Finland in 2017. Costs related to major non-communicable diseases drawn from Finnish registries covered direct costs (outpatient visits, days of inpatient care, medication and institutional eldercare) and indirect costs (sickness-related absences, disability pensions, unemployment benefits, all-cause mortality and losses of income tax revenue). Prevalences of low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour (≥8 hours per 16 waking hours) were based on self-reports among adolescents or accelerometer data among adults and the elderly from three Finnish population studies: FINFIT 2017, Health 2011 and the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Cost calculations used adjusted population attributable fractions (PAF) and regression models. Total annual costs were obtained by multiplying PAF by the total costs of the given disease.
Results The total costs of low physical activity in Finland in 2017 came to approximately €3.2 billion, of which direct costs accounted for €683 million and indirect ones for €2.5 billion. Costs attributable to high sedentary behaviour totalled roughly €1.5 billion.
Conclusion The findings suggest that low physical activity and high sedentary behaviour levels create substantial societal costs. Therefore, actions intended to increase physical activity and reduce excessive sedentary behaviour throughout life may yield not only better health but also considerable savings to society.
Keywords: physical activity; physical training; health effects; immobility; sitting; prevalence of a condition; sickness absences; communicable diseases; incapacity for work; disability pensions; mortality; costs; economic effects; health economics
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2022
JUFO rating: 2
