The Implications for the Nation
The health of Americans impacts the health and well-being of the nation.
As America's population grows and, as the aggregate profile of its citizens ages, Americans' behavioral choices, the availability and access to good health care and health information, and the resulting incidence of chronic disease will all have a substantially important bearing upon the national economy, the nationwide employment base, mortality trends, and other demographic factors.
The Future
Should the incidence of chronic diseases expand along with the rapid rate of growth in the country's population, especially among ethnic and low-income communities, an impending national health care crisis could confront future generations.
Mortality rates could rise, average life spans contract, medical costs skyrocket, and crushing demands upon geriatric caregivers and medical treatment facilities increase, severely impacting every aspect of society – from the nation's overall health care infrastructure to the national economy.
The Good News
Experts tell us that good nutrition, regular physical activity and exercise, better health care awareness, and improved health maintenance and disease prevention routines should reduce or alleviate the potential for serious chronic illness within the population as a whole, along with associated costs.
Good lifestyle behaviors can help ensure that the health of the nation's population overall improves over time, that health care costs will stabilize, and that the current strains upon our health care system will be significantly reduced.
Changing the way the nation approaches chronic disease prevention and management will require the participation of the multiple groups that have a stake in, and an influence on, Americans' health – including our nation's policymakers and business leaders.
