The Current Situation
Chronic diseases are the single greatest threat to our nation's health and our health care system.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned, "The United States cannot effectively address escalating health care costs without addressing the problem of chronic diseases."
Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent and costly illnesses that affect Americans. They are also among the most preventable, according to the CDC.
The Prevalence of Chronic Disease – Today and Tomorrow
About 133 million Americans – 45% of the population – have at least one chronic disease. (Citation: Wu S, Green A. Projection of Chronic Illness Prevalence and Cost Inflation. RAND Corporation, October 2000.)
Chronic disease is on the rise in the United States. According to the CDC:
- The number of people diagnosed with diabetes almost doubled from 1995 (4.4%) to 2005 (7.3%).
- The number of adults with asthma has increased 10% in just five years, with 8% of the population affected in 2005 and only 7.3% in 2000.
Many chronic diseases are caused or exacerbated by poor nutrition, lack of exercise, smoking, and other lifestyle choices. The resulting risk factors are also on the rise:
- Over the past 20 years, adult obesity has risen significantly in the United States. Latest data from the CDC show that 30% of U.S. adults 20 years of age and older – more than 60 million people – are obese.
Chronic diseases will have many implications for the future of our nation, including skyrocketing health care costs, given current demographic trends toward an aging population, and increasing obesity rates. For example:
- One in three of today's first graders will develop diabetes over the course of a lifetime given current trends, according to estimates from the American Diabetes Association.
The Cost of Chronic Disease
The increase in chronic disease comes at a high cost to individuals, communities, and the nation. Individuals living with chronic disease must adjust their lives to cope with the disease. Families are affected when loved ones die at an early age or face challenges associated with living with a chronic disease. Everyone – individuals, families, and the nation – are affected by the financial strains associated with chronic disease. The leading U.S. disease research center reports that:
- 70% of all deaths – or 1.7 million deaths per year – result from chronic diseases.
- Chronic diseases account for more than 75% of the approximately $2 trillion Americans spend each year on health care.
If current U.S. health trends continue, the results could be catastrophic for future generations, the health care system, and the economy.
