Obesity and extra weight cost American businesses and workers more than $425 billion in health care costs, missed work, and decreased productivity in 2023 alone.  Lack of physical activity and food intake is at the core of this epidemic, with 40% of all cancers having a high correlation to obesity.

In the premiere episode of “Longevity with David Rubenstein,” the Chair of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., sits down with several health care industry experts to explore America’s ongoing obesity crisis, including the food and snacking industries, the impact of obesity on patient outcomes and costs, and whether the development of GLP-1s for weight-loss offer a lasting solution.

“About 80% of all health care costs tie to lifestyles and behaviors,” said David Cordani, CEO and chairman of The Cigna Group. “Are you physically active or not? Cardiovascular fitness is important. That means 30 minutes or more of brisk exercise five days a week, and then food intake. Is it healthy and moderate, or not,” Cordani said. “Then you add the vitality dimensions around sense of community, sense of purpose, sense of belonging, spiritual health - that correlate to longevity. Without the physical health, longevity is not possible. Without the other dimensions, and just physical health, longevity is usually impeded as well.”   

“Longevity with David Rubenstein” is a new monthly series that examines how Americans can live longer and better. Watch the first episode, featuring Cordani, here.