The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in Thailand
IntroductionPhysical inactivity increases the risks of several common yet serious non-communicable diseases, costing a tremendous amount of health expenditure globally. This study aimed to estimate the association between health costs and physical inactivity in Thailand.MethodsData from the Physical...
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| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1037699/full |
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| author | Katika Akksilp Katika Akksilp Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai Yot Teerawattananon Yot Teerawattananon Cynthia Chen Cynthia Chen |
| author_facet | Katika Akksilp Katika Akksilp Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai Yot Teerawattananon Yot Teerawattananon Cynthia Chen Cynthia Chen |
| author_sort | Katika Akksilp |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionPhysical inactivity increases the risks of several common yet serious non-communicable diseases, costing a tremendous amount of health expenditure globally. This study aimed to estimate the association between health costs and physical inactivity in Thailand.MethodsData from the Physical Activity at Work cluster randomized controlled trial participants with valid objective physical activity data were extracted. Health costs were collected using the Health and Welfare Survey and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire and were categorized into past-month outpatient illness, past-year inpatient illness, and past-week presenteeism and absenteeism. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was used to determine the activity level according to the current guideline (i.e., ≥150 minutes moderate-intensity or ≥75 minutes vigorous-intensity equivalent physical activity per week). The primary analysis evaluated the association between direct cost (treatment and travel costs) and societal cost (direct cost plus absenteeism due to the illness) of past-month outpatient illness and physical inactivity using a two-part model.ResultsIn total, 277 participants with a mean age of 38.7 were included. Average direct and societal cost due to past-month outpatient illness were 146 THB (3.99 USD) (SD = 647 THB) and 457 THB (12.5 USD) (SD = 1390 THB), respectively. Compared to active participants, direct and societal cost of past-month outpatient illness were 153 THB (4.18 USD) (95%CI: –54.7 to 360 THB) and 426 THB (11.7 USD) (95%CI: 23.3 to 829 THB) higher in physically inactive individuals, respectively, adjusted for covariates. The additional societal cost of past-month outpatient illness was 145% higher in physically inactive participants compared to active participants. On the other hand, there was no significant association in direct and societal cost of past-year inpatient illness nor past-week indirect costs between physically active and non-active participants.DiscussionResults were similar to recent findings in different countries. However, the findings should be generalized with caution due to the small sample size and potential bias from reverse causation. Future research is crucial for clarifying the health costs of physical inactivity in Thailand and other countries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:34:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb89aeb3d3a94300ad3d16b3fca828cd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:34:05Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-fb89aeb3d3a94300ad3d16b3fca828cd2023-03-07T05:05:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652023-03-011110.3389/fpubh.2023.10376991037699The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in ThailandKatika Akksilp0Katika Akksilp1Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai2Yot Teerawattananon3Yot Teerawattananon4Cynthia Chen5Cynthia Chen6Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, SingaporeHealth Intervention and Technology Assessment Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, ThailandHealth Intervention and Technology Assessment Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, ThailandSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, SingaporeHealth Intervention and Technology Assessment Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, ThailandSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, SingaporeYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, SingaporeIntroductionPhysical inactivity increases the risks of several common yet serious non-communicable diseases, costing a tremendous amount of health expenditure globally. This study aimed to estimate the association between health costs and physical inactivity in Thailand.MethodsData from the Physical Activity at Work cluster randomized controlled trial participants with valid objective physical activity data were extracted. Health costs were collected using the Health and Welfare Survey and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire and were categorized into past-month outpatient illness, past-year inpatient illness, and past-week presenteeism and absenteeism. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was used to determine the activity level according to the current guideline (i.e., ≥150 minutes moderate-intensity or ≥75 minutes vigorous-intensity equivalent physical activity per week). The primary analysis evaluated the association between direct cost (treatment and travel costs) and societal cost (direct cost plus absenteeism due to the illness) of past-month outpatient illness and physical inactivity using a two-part model.ResultsIn total, 277 participants with a mean age of 38.7 were included. Average direct and societal cost due to past-month outpatient illness were 146 THB (3.99 USD) (SD = 647 THB) and 457 THB (12.5 USD) (SD = 1390 THB), respectively. Compared to active participants, direct and societal cost of past-month outpatient illness were 153 THB (4.18 USD) (95%CI: –54.7 to 360 THB) and 426 THB (11.7 USD) (95%CI: 23.3 to 829 THB) higher in physically inactive individuals, respectively, adjusted for covariates. The additional societal cost of past-month outpatient illness was 145% higher in physically inactive participants compared to active participants. On the other hand, there was no significant association in direct and societal cost of past-year inpatient illness nor past-week indirect costs between physically active and non-active participants.DiscussionResults were similar to recent findings in different countries. However, the findings should be generalized with caution due to the small sample size and potential bias from reverse causation. Future research is crucial for clarifying the health costs of physical inactivity in Thailand and other countries.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1037699/fullphysical activityexerciseeconomic costhealthcaresocietal cost |
| spellingShingle | Katika Akksilp Katika Akksilp Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai Yot Teerawattananon Yot Teerawattananon Cynthia Chen Cynthia Chen The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in Thailand Frontiers in Public Health physical activity exercise economic cost healthcare societal cost |
| title | The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in Thailand |
| title_full | The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in Thailand |
| title_fullStr | The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in Thailand |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in Thailand |
| title_short | The association between health costs and physical inactivity; analysis from the Physical Activity at Work study in Thailand |
| title_sort | association between health costs and physical inactivity analysis from the physical activity at work study in thailand |
| topic | physical activity exercise economic cost healthcare societal cost |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1037699/full |
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