Prevention and Wellness
Giving people the tools to stay healthy is as important as
helping them when they are sick. By encouraging healthy
lifestyles, we can help reduce preventable diseases.
Prevention and wellness include healthy behaviors such as:
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eating a well balanced diet
regular physical activity
annual doctors visits for physical examinations
following a doctor’s directions, like advice to stop smoking
Preventing Chronic Disease
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) estimate that chronic diseases, most of which are
preventable, accounted for 75 percent of the $2 trillion
spent on health care in 2005. Yet, less than $10 per person
per year is spent on preventive health care in the U.S.
Studies have shown that chronic diseases, such as heart
disease and diabetes, are more common in the U.S.
compared to European countries. This is partly because
more Americans than Europeans practice unhealthy
behaviors. For example, 33 percent of Americans are
obese, compared to 17 percent in Europe. Fifty-three
percent of Americans are smokers, while only 43 percent of
Europeans smoke.1
Americans, Europeans and people around the world can
help prevent chronic diseases by developing healthy habits
early. It’s also important to maintain those habits even
when sick. That’s because a healthy lifestyle can help slow
1 Thorpe, K. et al. “Differences in Disease Prevalence as a Source of the U.S.–European
Health Care Spending Gap.” Health Affairs (Web Exclusive) Oct. 2, 2007.
Available at http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/hlthaff.26.6.w678
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The Growing Chronic
Disease Epidemic
What are chronic diseases?
Chronic diseases are ongoing
illnesses that are typically
incurable, such as heart disease,
asthma, cancer and diabetes.
Many chronic diseases are
preventable and can be managed
by mitigating risk factors, making
lifestyle and dietary changes
when necessary, and following
prescribed treatment regimens.
Chronic diseases cost lives and
reduce quality of life.
Chronic diseases are the leading
cause of death and disability in
the United States. According to
the Partnership to Fight Chronic
Disease, chronic diseases inflict
45 percent of the American
population and are responsible for
70 percent of deaths.
According to the World Health
Organization, chronic disease is
responsible for 60 percent of all
deaths worldwide. Eighty of all
chronic disease related deaths
occur in developing and middleincome countries.
Chronic disease is not just a
problem for the elderly. Half of
all chronic disease related deaths
occur in people under the age of
70.
People with chronic diseases often
suffer from reduced quality of
life. For example, progression of
continued...
down the advance of illness, even if it doesn’t prevent it
altogether. The CDC estimates that 40 percent of cancer,
as well as 80 percent of heart disease, stroke, and type 2
diabetes, could be prevented if Americans exercised more,
stopped smoking, and ate healthier.
Taking Action
Many years ago, Johnson & Johnson began promoting
healthy lifestyles among our employees. A system
of company-wide incentives was established to help
employees live healthier lives. The program includes:
•• Health Assessment & Counseling to help employees
understand and reduce their health risks.
•• Opportunities for employees to be physically active through
activities and initiatives offered by our companies, some
of which provide on-site fitness centers, exercise classes,
personal training and health coaching.
•• Preventive screenings covered at 100 percent under the
Healthy People Medical Plan.
This approach has helped to improve health and reduced
costs, both for the Johnson & Johnson companies and for
employees.2 We encourage health care systems around the
world to adopt a similar approach.
We also work with others to help reduce the rate of chronic
disease through such programs as:
•• The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a coalition to
reduce chronic diseases through awareness, policy changes,
and disease prevention and management.
2 Ozminkowski, et al. “Long-Term Impact of Johnson & Johnson Health & Wellness Program
on Health Care Utilization and Expenditures.” JOEM Vol 44, January 2002. Available at
http://healthproject.stanford.edu/koop/Johnson%20and%20Johnson/pdf/Utilization%20
and%20Expenditure.pdf
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diabetes can result in amputation
of lower limbs, and asthma can
limit a patient’s ability to participate
in recreational activities.
Impact of chronic diseases
on health care systems and
economies
Chronically ill patients use the U.S.
health care system more frequently
than any other group, accounting
for:
• 81% of hospital admissions
• 76% of physicians visits
• 91% of all prescriptions filled
• 75% of the $2 trillion spent
on health care in 2005 in the
United States
• 96% of Medicare spending
• 83% of Medicaid spending3
Preventing chronic disease
The major risk factors for chronic
disease are: an unhealthy diet,
physical inactivity and smoking. If
these factors were eliminated, at
least 80 percent of heart disease,
stroke and Type 2 diabetes
would be prevented, as well as
40 percent of cancer. However,
without action, 17 million people
will die prematurely this year from
a chronic disease.4
3 Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease at
www.fightchronicdisease.org/crisis/what/
index.cfm
4 The World Health Organization at www.
who.int/features/factfiles/chp/01_en.html
•• The Campaign to End Obesity, a public-private collaborative effort to fight America’s obesity
epidemic.
•• The CEO Cancer Gold Standard™, a U.S. initiative created by the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, Inc.,
which is committed to fighting cancer. Johnson & Johnson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
William Weldon, chairs the CEO Roundtable.
•• America On the Move®, a national non-profit organization working to promote healthful eating and
active living among individuals, families and communities. SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, from
McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, is a national program sponsor.
•• Our creation of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute, LLC, a network of centers to be
established in Japan, the U.S., France and China by year-end 2008 to provide physicians,
nurses, physician assistants and diabetes educators with training on the latest diabetes treatment
standards, tools and technologies, and cost-effective solutions.
•• Our many global giving programs that support community-based initiatives to prevent and reduce
the impact of chronic diseases and prevent HIV/AIDS infections.
•• Our engagement with the Oxford Health Alliance, which helps experts from around the world
raise awareness and enhance health behaviors, policies and perspective at every level of society.
Members include academics, corporate executives, patients’ rights advocates, doctors, and nurses.
Learn about our commitment to working with others to fight disease and promote wellness by
visiting:
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease at www.fightchronicdisease.org
Campaign to End Obesity at www.obesitycampaign.org
CEO Roundtable on Cancer, Inc. at www.ceoroundtableoncancer.org
Our Giving
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