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Bad health costs the U.S. economy $576B a year, a report from the business-backed Integrated...

  • Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 8:56 AM ET
    Bad health costs the U.S. economy $576B a year, a report from the business-backed Integrated Benefits Institute shows. Around $227B is due to "lost productivity" because of employee absenteeism and "presenteeism," when staff who are sick go to work but can't function properly. Another $232B is related to medical treatment.
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This news story has 3 comments:

  •  
    This is like saying "rain costs golf courses $113 million in lost revenue." Is the unstated premise that with Michelle's diet everyone will be healthy all the time?

    On the other hand, it is true that Kim Jong-il was in robust health every day of his life except the day he died, so, who knows?
    12 Sep 2012, 09:04 AM Reply Like
  •  
    If reduced absenteeism were to increase productivity, fewer employees would be needed. Thus, bad health is good for employment. And this doesn't even account for all the medical personnel, pharmacy personnel, and drug company production to care for a sick workforce. Good health is bad for the economy. Maybe this is why republicans oppose healthcare.
    12 Sep 2012, 09:05 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Mr. frosty. I don't speak for the Republicans, but I do speak for all us far-right extremists. We don't oppose "healthcare." We oppose both healthcare and food production making it doubly sure that all will die and thus goose the economy.
    12 Sep 2012, 09:12 AM Reply Like
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