Figuratively Speaking: Health plans 'excellent or very good' despite higher costs

Percentage of U.S. workers who consider their health plan to be their most important work benefit: 75

Percentage of U.S. workers who would rather have their salary or retirement benefits reduced instead of their health benefits, if an employer reduced total compensation: 83

At the root of dental care

Estimated number of teeth that are saved each year by the root canal procedure, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: 42 million

Estimated annual cost for dental services: $93 billion

Average amount spent individually by Americans annually on dental care: $292

Pharmaceutical promotion

Total value of advertising dollars spent promoting drugs that treat urological disorders in 2006, according to a study conducted by TNS Media Intelligence: $238.8 million

Percentage increase in the total value of advertising dollars spent promoting drugs that treat urological disorders between 2005 and 2006: 37

Smoking statistics

Percentage of Americans who say they believe that cigarette smokers are aware of the health dangers involved in smoking, according to a survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports: 91

Percentage who said that cigarette companies should not be held liable for the health problems of those who smoke: 70

Estimated annual economic burden of smoking in excess medical expenses per smoking employee, according to a report from the National Business Group on Health: $1,623

Estimated additional cost in health-related productivity losses per smoking employee: $1,760

Percentage of survey respondents who said that they believe providing employees with smoking cessation benefits can help improve employee health: 75

Eat well

Percentage of parents who know their family should eat a balanced diet, according to a national survey by YMCA of the USA and Eli Lilly: 91

Percentage who say their household actually does: 56

Percentage who know their family should exercise regularly: 93

Percentage who say their household does: 45

Looking good

Combined projected spending on cosmetic surgery in Europe and the U.S.

by 2011, according to a report by Datamonitor, an independent market analyst: $28 billion

Percentage of women in Europe and the U.S. who have considered cosmetic surgery: 20 to 30

Percentage who cited body shape as a major concern: 73

Percentage of consumers in Europe and the U.S. who are concerned about the signs of aging: 50

Hefty costs

Percentage of the U.S. population considered to be clinically obese (a body mass index greater than 30), according to IBISWorld: 34

Annual estimated direct health costs attributable to obesity: $75 billion

Estimated annual expenditure on weight-loss products and services, including medical procedures and pharmaceuticals: $44 billion to $55 billion

Percentage of that spending garnered by weight-loss centers: 6 to 12

Coaching for health

Percentage of working adults who believe it’s important for companies to pair personalized coaching with wellness initiatives to maintain a healthy lifestyle, according to a poll by Workplace Options: 76

Number of times more likely that coaching will bring patient success in reducing total cholesterol and other coronary risk factors compared to patients who were prescribed medication but not coached, according to the Cardiovascular Review and Report by Yale University: 2

Time to de-stress

Percentage of U.S. employees who say they have taken “mental health days” to recover or recharge, according to a survey conducted by ComPsych: 82

Percentage who say family and relationship issues are the most likely cause: 30

Percentage who cite work stress/workload: 20

Percentage who cite personal issues (financial, legal, other): 15

Idle thought

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

—William James, psychologist (1842—1910)

John MacIntyre is an author and former city magazine editor. His “Figuratively Speaking” column, launched in 1989, is published in more than 40 newspapers and magazines.