Preventive care plays a crucial role in helping people maintain their health and well-being. Often covered 100% by health plans, preventive care includes services such as vaccinations, screenings, and routine check-ups, which are designed to detect and address potential health issues before they become serious.

When people regularly engage with preventive care services, they are more likely to catch health issues early, when they are most treatable and less expensive to manage. This early intervention can lead to better disease management, fewer hospitalizations, and a decrease in emergency room visits, ultimately contributing to significant cost savings for both individuals and the health care system.

The following statistics demonstrate the profound impact of preventive care on health outcomes and costs, underscoring its importance in fostering a healthier society.

Primary care

1. If every person in the U.S. received the recommended clinical preventive care, 100,000 lives each year could be saved. (Source: Center for Disease Control)
2. Over a quarter of Americans (27%) say they are not up to date with their health screenings and immunizations. (Source: American Association of Nurse Practitioners)
3. Beyond improving health outcomes, preventive care also impacts total cost of care. In a study of 5 million patients assigned to a primary care provider in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), researchers assessed the effect of primary care visits on total patient care cost over a three-year period. The first primary care visit was associated with the largest savings: an average of $3,976 per patient per year. Each additional in-person primary care visit was associated with a total cost reduction of $721 per patient per year. (Source: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health)

Cancer

4. 65% of Americans 21 years of age and older report not being up to date on at least one routine cancer screening. (Source: Prevent Cancer Foundation)
5. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Research confirms that early detection through screening can improve outcomes. In fact, the survival rate for stage I breast cancer is over 99%. (Source: Cancer Research Institute)
6. Rates of incidence and mortality for colorectal cancer have been decreasing in older adults for several decades, due in part to the availability of screening tests, which allows for early detection and treatment. (Source: American Cancer Society)
7. One study found that increasing screenings by just 10% could save tens of thousands of lives – including 21% fewer deaths from colorectal cancer and 40% fewer deaths from cervical cancer. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Dental

8. 55% of the U.S. population has not had a dental visit in the past 12 months. Additionally, among children, about 1 in 2 have not seen a dentist in the past year. (Source: American Dental Association)
9. Preventive dental care visits are associated with fewer subsequent non-preventive dental visits and lower dental costs. In the analysis of claims data for patients ages 21 to 64, those with five continuous years of preventive care experienced 43% lower costs than an individual who received no preventive dental care at all. (Source: National Library of Medicine) 

Cardiodiabesity (Cardiovascular disease + type 2 diabetes + obesity)

10. Research estimates the combined cost of these three conditions is $838 billion annually. (Source: Evernorth Research Institute)
11. People with risk factors for cardiodiabesity – such as hypertension, prediabetes, and high cholesterol – need early intervention from a physician to help manage these conditions before they develop cardiodiabesity, which has a staggering rate of progression. In fact, 27.4% of patients with risk factors for cardiodiabesity and 88.4% of patients in the active cardiodiabesity state saw their health worsen within one year. (Source: Evernorth Research Institute)
12. Costs rise with disease progression. Average total annual costs for patients with risk factors who progressed to active cardiodiabesity within one year increased by 155%, more than three times the average cost increase for patients who did not progress. (Source: Evernorth Research Institute)

By committing to preventive care, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases, disabilities, and even premature death. This proactive approach to health management not only enhances the quality of life but also helps in avoiding costly medical treatments in the long run.