Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2023
Meta AnalysisEconomic burden of low cardiorespiratory fitness in Canada.
The objective of this study was to estimate health care and health-related productivity costs associated with low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in Canadian adults. We also estimated costs that would be avoided by a 10 percentage point prevalence reduction in low CRF. A prevalence-based approach was used to estimate the economic costs associated with low CRF. ⋯ An absolute 10% reduction in the prevalence of low CRF (from 45.5% to 35.5%) would save an estimated CAD$644 million per year in costs. In conclusion, low CRF is an important contributor to the economic burden of illness in Canada. Evidence-based and cost-effective strategies that aim to increase CRF at the population level may help alleviate health care costs and improve health.