Physical Activity Saves Australia’s Health System $320 Million Annually

Students hold their position during a yoga class at Capri Elementary School in Encinitas, Calif. in this file photo. Reading, writing, `rithmetic and PE? The prestigious Institute of Medicine is recommending that schools treat physical education as a core subject. At least an hour of vigorous or moderate physical activity every day is recommended. AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File

The public health system saved over $320 million a year from Australians participating in sports and exercise, according to a sports economics report released on Sept. 5.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) spokesperson Dr. Heather Swanston said $1.2 billion was spent on injuries from physical activity, and $149 million was spent on osteoarthritis from previous injuries from physical activity; however, sport and physical activity provided a net saving of $321 million to the Australian health system, in 2018-19.

Dr. Swanston said, “Physical activity has physical and psychological benefits for individuals, which can benefit the health system by reducing the need for people to receive treatment for illness and injuries.”

On the contrary, AIHW estimated physical inactivity accounted for around $2.4 billion in health spending in 2018-19; however, Dr. Swanston said the cost would have been “$1.7 billion higher without the health benefits from current levels of physical activity, including sport, undertaken in Australia.”

AIHW noted more spending could have been avoided through improved injury prevention and sports and physical activity management.

Physical Activity Prevents Disease Spending

The report (pdf) from AIHW titled “Economics of sport and physical activity participation and injury” was released after the Australian Sports Commission commissioned the investigation.

It found some form of physical activity resulted in saving $1.7 billion for the country in disease prevention alone in 2018-19.

Of the $1.7 billion, the benefit was similar for males ($820 million) and females ($832 million), and around $190 million was due to reduced blood pressure and associated diseases.

At the same time, $108 million was due to improved bone mineral density and reduced fracture costs.

Further, physical activity prevented the most spending on falls ($488 million), depression ($392 million), and anxiety ($173 million).

Meanwhile, savings were highest for coronary heart disease ($82 million), atrial fibrillation and flutter ($34 million), and stroke ($21 million) through reductions in blood pressure.