Prevention Emphasis Could Help Curb Health Costs

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR DAVE FREUDENTHAL
August 18, 2006

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - An increased emphasis on preventive efforts could help Wyoming residents and programs keep up with rising costs of healthcare, Gov. Dave Freudenthal told a gathering of health professionals Friday.

Speaking in Cheyenne to attendees at the sixth Wyoming Rural Health Conference, the governor said an emphasis on prevention could begin to bridge the gap between skyrocketing health costs and public revenues, which are growing much more slowly.

Freudenthal pointed to the states newly introduced wellness initiative, which expands Wyomings investment in its employees health in an effort to reduce unnecessary use of medical services, absenteeism, on-the-job injuries and workers compensation costs.

The total annual cost estimate for the proposal is about $950,000, or less than 1 percent of the projected 2006 medical claims for the states program, about $108 million. Funding will be disbursed across state agencies existing budgets. Studies show that employers can save $1,100 a year for every employee who kicks the smoking habit; $1,200 a year on employees who reduce their cholesterol levels by 20 percent; and $177 a year for every employee who goes from being obese to maintaining a healthy weight.

The state doesn't have to prevent very many heart attacks, cases of high blood pressure or diabetic complications to more than save the initial investment, Freudenthal said, adding: Until we can help the population understand that getting healthy and staying healthy will do more for holding down the cost of healthcare than most other options we talk about, we won't make much progress.

The main components of the state of Wyoming wellness initiative are:

-a state government-wide marketing campaign and quarterly newsletter;

-an on-line Health Risk Assessment for every state employee, which creates a report card for each person on their lifestyle and health habits, and further connects them with health information and access to a 24-hour, nurse-staffed health hotline;

-active break time incentives, which allow employees to earn points toward administrative leave for healthy activities at work, completing health assessments and other programs; and

-wellness centers in state office buildings, with several blood pressure machines and other healthy lifestyle resources.

While at the Rural Health Conference, Freudenthal also presented the Outstanding Achievement in Rural Healthcare award to Dr. Richard Campbell of Torrington. The award recognizes everyday heroes across Wyoming whose efforts have made a lasting impact on rural healthcare and addressed the needs of the uninsured, underserved populations of Wyoming.