Prevention Matters

A new survey shows that Americans overwhelmingly support increasing prevention funding, even if it doesn't save money. The survey, commissioned by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found that 72 percent of those surveyed agree with the statement that "investing in prevention is worth it even if it doesn't save us money, because it will prevent disease and save lives."

Poll participants ranked prevention as the most important health care reform priority. Seventy percent ranked it between an eight and 10 on a scale of zero to ten, where zero means not at all an important health care priority and 10 means very important. Forty-six percent rated prevention as a 10 out of 10. Overall, prevention was rated higher than all other proposals, including providing tax credits to small businesses and prohibiting health insurers from denying coverage based on health status.

The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and Public Opinion Strategies, found that 86 percent of Democrats, 71 percent of Republicans, and 70 percent of Independents supporting investing more in prevention. It also found that 77 percent of Americans agreed with the statement that "prevention will save us money."

Partnership for Prevention President Robert J. Gould took part in a press conference with TFAH yesterday to say the results are consistent with Partnership's experience working with corporations to establish worksite wellness programs.

"The public gets it and CEOS are getting it," Gould said. "One of the most hopeful trends in disease prevention and health promotion over the past several years has been the movement among corporations to promote health and wellness through worksite-based programs. More companies "are taking proactive measures to improve the physical health of their employees and the fiscal health of their organizations," he said.

To view video of Gould's remarks, click on the media player below. If you don't see a media player, click here.