Incentives for getting fit

Physical inactivity has been called the greatest public health problem of our time, and it contributes to the estimated $147 billion annual cost of obesity in the United States. Yet, as a nation, we still spend less than 1 percent of our total health care expenditures on prevention and wellness. This has to change.

Exercise isn't a cure-all, but Minnesota has seen how a small incentive like paying individuals $20 for using a fitness facility eight or more times a month promotes more regular exercise, lowers health care costs and improves overall health.

A study by not-for-profit health care provider Medica found discounts on fitness center memberships motivated individuals to exercise more frequently and revealed that those who reached the threshold of just eight visits to the gym per month reduced their costs for prescriptions, doctor appointments and care at clinics and hospitals by more than a third. The findings of this study and others, prove that providing incentives for exercise and wellness initiatives is effective and leads to a healthier population.

I'm encouraged to hear leaders such as U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin call for wellness to be a centerpiece of health care reform. We need to urge all our elected officials to support programs that promote exercise in any health care reform efforts.

It won't be easy, but, as with exercise, we'll be rewarded for our hard work.

JILL MILLS, Anytime Fitness, Cape Girardeau