Harvard School of Public Health and Economics professors performed a critical meta-analysis of the scientific literature on costs and savings associated with wellness and disease prevention programs.  The studies authors found that medical costs fall by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs and that absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent.  Although further exploration of the mechanisms at work and broader applicability of the findings is needed, this return on investment suggests that the wider adoption of such programs could prove beneficial for budgets and productivity as well as health outcomes.  Published 2010.