Burden of disease attributable to physical inactivity: German and Polish evidence

Abstract

In this study we provide an empirical evidence on sport inactivity as an important risk factor for several chronic diseases, accounting for a significant part of related economic burden of disease. Applying cost-of-illness methodology to cost data for a sample of noncommunicable diseases in Poland and Germany we present estimates for a fraction of costs (both direct and indirect) generated for national health care systems by insufficient sport activity of Polish and German populations. Discussing the results we pledge in favor of adequate public incentives and prohealthy lifestyle initiatives at both national and EU levels as an effective tool in raising health condition