Based on previous work in health care economics (including a National Medical Expenditures Survey that has been widely cited), this calculator assigns a value of $1,230 as the annual medical cost savings of adults under 65 years old, who exercise regularly (according to the CDC guidelines for levels for moderate and/or vigorous physical activity levels). The assigned value of $1,230 was doubled to $2,460 for adults over 65, because seniors typically incur 2-3 times the average healthcare expenditures of working-age people.
Specific Inputs:
# of Unique Users Under 65 Annually
Record your estimated numbers or if you have a way of tracking use, enter that number in this field. The Healthcare Savings field is pre-populated with $1,230 which is based on previous work in health care economics (which includes a National Medical Expenditures Survey that has been widely cited) and represents the annual medical cost savings of adults under 65 years old.
# of Unique Users Over 65 Annually
Record your estimated numbers or if you have a way of tracking use, enter that number in this field. The Healthcare Savings field is pre-populated with $2,406 which is based on previous work in health care economics (which includes a National Medical Expenditures Survey that has been widely cited) and represents the annual medical cost savings of adults over 65 years old.
External Resources to use to amplify your results:
Tree Equity Score: evaluate your area's tree equity score and learn how you can improve it. This site gives you demographics in comparison to tree canopy in specific areas.
FRPA Health Pillar Resources - education, policy samples, research, and more in relation to building healthy communities.
Park Equity Study - San Fernando Valley, CA - an increase in parks for citizens can result in better life quality and expectancy
Links to resources used in the Calculator:
Resources/Articles: Health Savings:
- The Economic Benefits of the Park and Recreation System of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina – The Trust for Public Land (2010)
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- The Economic Benefits of Cleveland Metroparks – Trust for Public Land (2018)
- M. Pratt, C. A. Macera, and G. Wang, “Higher Direct 103 Medical Costs Associated with Physical Inactivity,” Physician and Sports Medicine 28, no. 10 (2000): 63–70.