Prevention and Wellness

What We're Thinking

The rising tide of chronic disease threatens our physical health, but it also harms our economic wellbeing, as most of our health care dollars are spent treating severely ill people. While many chronic illnesses are preventable, the health care system is mired in a cycle of reactive behavior, treating people after they are sick rather than focusing on keeping them healthy.

By breaking this cycle, we can focus health care spending on innovations and interventions to keep people healthy and our economy competitive.

What We're Doing

In partnership with The Boston Foundation, NEHI is leading research focused on the connection between health, health care and economic vitality.

2007: The Boston Paradox: Lots of Health Care, Not Enough Health

Health care resources are being devoted to treatment -- and not prevention -- of chronic disease, which is impacting economic competitiveness.

2008: Blueprint for Wellness and Fitness in Massachusetts

We are currently creating a blueprint outlining what we need to do in schools, the workplace and the community to break the cycle of chronic disease and reactive behavior.

2009: Call to Action

Following the blueprint, we will implement a call to action and create a leadership group that will bring programs to appropriate sectors to make policy change achievable.