By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Big Payoff From Wellness and Prevention
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > News > The Big Payoff From Wellness and Prevention
NewsWellness

The Big Payoff From Wellness and Prevention

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

The belief that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is so well ingrained that it makes it easy to think we can solve our health care cost crisis the easy way, by increasing spending in one area to bring down costs in another. It doesn’t necessarily work that way, at least in the short term, which is why prevention isn’t a surefire bet to keep down health insurance premiums.

The belief that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is so well ingrained that it makes it easy to think we can solve our health care cost crisis the easy way, by increasing spending in one area to bring down costs in another. It doesn’t necessarily work that way, at least in the short term, which is why prevention isn’t a surefire bet to keep down health insurance premiums.

But an article in today’s New York Times (Working Late, by Choice or Not) indirectly points to the big benefit of wellness and prevention, which is the ability to remain in the workforce into old age, rather than having to retire or slow down substantially based on chronic disease or disability. Millions of baby boomers are now reaching the traditional retirement age of 65, but it’s in their interest and the interest of the country as a whole that many of them continue working for a long while after that.

The big financial payoffs come from enhanced productivity, which increase the size of the economy, increased tax revenues to help cover the deficit, and an ability to counteract shortages in the labor force caused by reductions in immigration, policy changes, or poor planning. While I’m sure older people aren’t happy about it, the fact that fewer retirees have employer paid pensions or health insurance, and that the Social Security eligibility age is rising a bit, increase the level of interest for older people to stay in the workforce.

More Read

FDA Power Grab
How is Gaming Changing the Landscape in Health Care? Part 2 | Joseph C. Kvedar, Center for Connected Health
Can You Claim Compensation for Knee Injuries?
Doximity-Medical App
Activated, Empowered Patients Are Not New

The Times profile includes a 72 year old home care aide whose IRA lost value, an 87 year old doctor who loves to work, a 77 year old retail clerk still striving to make quota, a 78 year old plumbing inspector who likes to stay active, and a 92 year old Walmart shelf stocker who doesn’t “want to sit down and die” but also probably needs the money.

The article doesn’t describe what these particular folks did to stay active and healthy. But for the population as a whole wellness and prevention can play a big role. Someone who’s 25 can go out drinking every night, eat poorly, not exercise, sleep too little, smoke and still manage to hold down a demanding job. But if they keep it up they’ll be in tough shape by age 65 if not before. Of course, even someone who does everything right from a lifestyle standpoint can still get sick or disabled, but it’s less likely.

One sector of the economy where this phenomenon will help is nursing. We often hear doom and gloom scenarios (usually from self-interested parties) about the coming nursing shortage, as older nurses retire and more people need care. But the scenario I paint is rosier: one where nurses retire later than they have in the past and more seniors in general are up on their feet, not needing nursing care.

 


TAGGED:preventionworkforce
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025

You Might also Like

American urologists express increased interest in focused ultrasound

June 23, 2012
SpecialtiesWellness

Fall Prevention: How To Keep An Elderly Parent Safe In Their Home

December 27, 2018
Home HealthWellness

The Most Important Health And Wellness Essentials

March 28, 2019
biomedical products for senior health
eHealthGeriatricsMedical DevicesMedical InnovationsMobile HealthTechnologyWellness

Enhancing the “Coolness Factor” in Our Later Years

June 24, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?