What is the economic impact of physical inactivity among Canadians?
A4. Canadians who become physically active can reduce the burden on our health-care system as the population ages. Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for fitness, recreation and sport have set a target to decrease the level of physically inactive Canadians by 10% between 1998 and 2003. If we achieve this target, it is estimated that this would result in a savings of $5 billion in discounted lifetime costs for medical care, sick leave, and lost revenues from taxes resulting from premature mortality. More specifically, results from a study on health-care costs by the Conference Board of Canada indicate that, for example, a 1% increase in physical activity could save $10.2 million for heart disease, $877,000 for adult-onset diabetes, and $407,000 for colon cancer each year (in constant 1993 dollars).
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