Unhealthy Islanders cost $43M more a year than active B.C.ers

Prince Edward Islanders could save $43 million every year if they were as healthy as British Columbians, according to a new study.

The Canadian Journal of Public Health looked at health care spending in different parts of Canada.

UBC epidemiologist Hans Krueger compared smoking, excess weight and inactivity levels across the country.

Krueger says obesity rates are eight per cent higher here than in B.C., with six per cent more of our population smoking and almost double the percentage of heavy smokers.

Krueger says P.E.I.'s inactivity levels are close to the national average, but almost 10 per cent higher than B.C.

Krueger admits B.C. does have better weather for exercise, but he says political initiatives, investment and legislation have helped too.

He agrees changing unhealthy behaviours of Islanders will likely take investment that could negate the health savings, but in the long term he believes the province would reduce costs.

"That's where the difference in economic burden really takes hold, because as you go higher up the scale in terms of using more cigarettes, for example, both the health consequences and the economic consequences become more and more significant."

Nationally, if everyone was as healthy as the west coast, the country would save $5.3 billion. About $23.3 billion of that comes from overweight patients and $18.7 for smoking.

P.E.I. vs B.C.

- Almost 20 per cent of Islanders smoke versus 13.5 per cent in B.C.

- Heavy smoking in P.E.I. sits as 5.1 per cent of the population versus 3.2 per cent.

- Obesity is 19.5 per cent versus 11.9 per cent

- Inactivity in P.E.I. is 44 per cent versus B.C.'s 35 per cent