Daily steps and healthcare costs in Japanese communities

Abstract

Physical inactivity is a pandemic that requires intensive, usually costly efforts for risk reduction of related chronic diseases. Nevertheless, it is challenging to determine the effectiveness of physical activity in healthcare cost reduction based on existing literature. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of physical activity (daily steps) on healthcare costs utilising the data retrieved from a health promotion project (the e-wellness Project, held in three municipalities in Japan). Evaluating the effects of daily steps, measured by pedometers, on healthcare costs by a quasi-experimental approach among participants aged 40–75 years (about 4000 person-years of observation, between 2009 and 2013), we found that a one-step-increase in the annual average daily step reduced outpatient healthcare costs by 16.26 JPY (≒ 0.11 GBD) in the short run. Based on the assumption of a dynamic relationship between the health statuses in multiple years, the long-run effects of daily steps on healthcare costs were estimated at 28.24 JPY (≒ 0.20 GBD). We determined the health benefits of walking in a sample of middle-aged and older Japanese adults by our findings that an increase in step counts reduced healthcare costs.

Renal Health Benefits of Rural City Planning in Japan

“…Therefore, we describe the possible effects on the economy by city planning at the end ( Figure 1 ). Even though social demonstration experiments on physical activity to attain better health are being conducted, they are only in limited areas and on a limited scale ( 33 ). While there have been many examinations of the economic benefits of integrating hospitals, few reports show the effect on prognosis for specific diseases.…”

“…From this perspective, we have focused on the possible links between city planning and intermediate factors of developing CKD to improve renal health in Japan. Interventional investigations on physical activity and medical expenditure suggest that undergoing sufficient levels of physical activity is associated with decreased healthcare costs ( 33 , 34 ). In the Japanese middle-aged population, a one-step-increase in the annual average daily step count reduced outpatient healthcare costs by 16.26 JPY in the short run and assumed long-run effects of daily steps were estimated at 28.24 JPY ( 33 ).…”

“…Interventional investigations on physical activity and medical expenditure suggest that undergoing sufficient levels of physical activity is associated with decreased healthcare costs ( 33 , 34 ). In the Japanese middle-aged population, a one-step-increase in the annual average daily step count reduced outpatient healthcare costs by 16.26 JPY in the short run and assumed long-run effects of daily steps were estimated at 28.24 JPY ( 33 ). Regarding preserving renal function and CKD deterioration, decline speed in eGFR is considered as a surrogate marker for ESKD.…”