The Cost of Inaction - Obesity Canada

Text image with a headline: "The High Cost of Inaction." Below, it states, "A failure to recognize obesity as a chronic disease has resulted in substantial economic implications.

The High Costs of Inaction: Obesity’s Impact on Canada’s Economy and Workforce

Obesity rates in Canada have reached significant levels, with nearly one in three Canadians living with the chronic disease. Obesity Canada conducted an economic analysis to determine the financial burden of untreated obesity on Canada’s healthcare system and the workplace.

The findings demonstrate that a failure to recognize obesity as a chronic and progressive disease, combined with a lack of access to effective treatment and prevention strategies, has resulted in substantial economic implications across the country.

Specifically, the report found:

The cost of inaction in treating obesity surpassed $27 billion in 2023 – 20% higher than previous estimates.
The incremental annual cost on Canada’s healthcare system due to obesity was $5.9 billion and is associated with 19 million more physician visits among other care and support needs.
Indirect costs reached an estimated $21.7 billion due to increased workplace absenteeism, lower workplace presenteeism, obesity-related disability pension payments, premature deaths attributable to obesity, and lower incomes.
Women living with obesity are 5.3% less likely to be employed compared to women of healthy weight. This disparity is far less pronounced for men, at only 0.3%, despite more men living with obesity.

Top-line findings from Modeling the Cost of Inaction in Treating Obesity in Canada, a report commissioned by Obesity Canada and funded by Eli Lilly Canada, emphasizes the urgent need for effective Canada-wide public health strategies to treat and prevent obesity.

Investing in effective obesity treatment and prevention strategies is not only the right thing to do for Canadians living with the chronic disease, but is crucial for the economic well-being of Canada.

A person in a blue shirt, wearing earphones, looks into the distance. The image features a report title from Obesity Canada: "The High Cost of Inaction: Top-Line Findings.

Download the Report Summary

Téléchargez le résumé du rapport

Read the report and wondering what you can do?

If you are a healthcare professional, we encourage you to read the report and share it with your colleagues, as well as with the leaders in your organization who have influence with decision makers and elected officials.

If you are a member of the public, consider using this report as a source of conversation among friends and colleagues. Consider accessing more information at obesitycanada.ca.

If you are an elected official, familiarize yourself with the report and consider how you can provide better access to care for your constituents, and all Canadians living with obesity.

If you are an employer, consider how you can support your employees who live with obesity, in the workplace.