The Potential Impact of Health Promotion on Health Care Utilization: An Introduction to Demand Management

Abstract

Wendy O. Lynch, Ph.D., is Principal and Donald M. Vickery, M.D., is Chairman and CEO of Health Decisions, Inc., Evergreen, Colorado. Why haven’t we proven that health promotion programs reduce health care costs? This question plagues our profession, frustrating researchers and practitioners alike. Our belief in the health enhancing value of risk reduction programs leads us to a logical assumption that such programs must lead to associated cost savings as well. The following paper discusses the rationale behind this assumption, conceptual flaws in the logic, and a model for understanding how health promotion can influence costs. CRITICAL ISSUES AND TRENDS