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The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease Resources RESOURCES > MIGRAINE Migraine According to the National Institute of Health's National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the pain of a migraine headache is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. The International Headache Society diagnoses migraine by pain level and number of attacks, and additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. More than 10 percent of people worldwide experience migraine, and it is thee times more common in women than men. Chronic Migraine Chronic migraine is defined as a headache that occurs on 15 or more days per month for at least three months. According to the National Headache Foundation, studies have shown that nearly 80 percent of patients with chronic migraine have depression. Raising awareness of the prevalence of chronic migraine and exposing its extensive impact on productivity are critical to highlighting the need for more research in order to support the millions who suffer daily. For a patient perspective on chronic migraine please visit PFCD's YouTube channel for video testimonials from three chronic migraine sufferers: http://www.youtube.com/ThePFCD

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease Resources RESOURCES > HEART DISEASE Heart Disease According to a recent report commissioned by the American Heart Association, costs associated with heart disease in the U.S. will reach $818.1 billion a year by 2030. Most of these costs are associated with the treatment of high blood pressure, which the report states are predicted to increase to $389 billion by 2030. Cardiovascular disease is largely a preventable chronic disease, yet the report warns that the number of heart disease cases will grow by 10 percent over the next 20 years if nothing is done. High Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know Blood pressure is the force of our blood being pushed against the artery walls when our heart beats. However, when the heart must exert more force to pump blood through the arteries, high blood pressure, or hypertension, may occur. Left unchecked, this can lead to various health concerns, most notably heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, there are many ways you can help reduce your blood pressure to healthy levels. Read the full article here .

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease Resources

Sept. 11, 2025 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) has released the following statement in response to the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy report. “More than 40% of U.S. children and adolescents have at least one chronic condition, a concerning trend that deserves data-driven research and recommendations. The Make America Healthy Again Commission correctly highlights that improving nutrition, increased physical activity, reduced stress, and curtailing exposure to toxins are essential to health promotion for children. Given the desire to reduce exposure to toxins, we were troubled to see no mention of tobacco use and nicotine addiction prevention and cessation anywhere in the report. Tobacco use remains a major preventable cause of chronic disease, and nearly 90 percent of adults who smoke started before they turned 18 . “Even more concerning is the Commission’s emphasis on ‘overmedicalization’ as a ‘driver behind the rise in chronic disease,’ imprecisely calling it a ‘concerning trend … often driven by conflicts of interest in medical research, regulation and practice.’ Medicine is not the enemy of prevention; it is its partner: ·         One in 15 U.S. children has asthma , and inhalers and other therapies keep symptoms under control and prevent hospitalizations. Preventing exposures to triggers is important to avoid asthma attacks but is not enough for many without the support of medicines that prevent attacks and rescue medicines needed during one. ·         For the 300,000 children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes , insulin is not optional but life-sustaining. ·         Advances in pediatric oncology have raised the five-year survival rate for childhood cancers above 85% , a direct result of research and treatment. "Getting regular exercise and spending time outdoors certainly do have beneficial effects on stress levels and mental wellbeing. However, to suggest that those activities alone can prevent and treat diagnosed mental illnesses diminishes the reality of these diseases, reinforces stigmas that prevent people from seeking treatment, and risks the health of children and adolescents suffering from mental illnesses. Medical care does not create chronic disease, but rather it allows children to live longer, healthier lives. Suggesting otherwise risks stigmatizing families who depend on these treatments and undercutting the value of efforts focused on delivering innovative treatments and cures to those living with unmet needs. “Any effort to make America healthy should prioritize prevention while also leveraging current and future treatments to better manage the existing toll of chronic disease across the U.S. The best path forward is to invest in healthier environments while strengthening research and health care that saves children’s lives. A comprehensive approach to children’s health must value both prevention and medicine.”

August 1, 2025 (Washington, D.C.)  The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s most recent efforts to impose “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) drug pricing, which poses considerable risks to patient access, particularly to people living with one or more chronic diseases. “More than one in two adults in the U.S. lives with at least one chronic condition and nearly one in three live with two or more chronic conditions. As such, chronic diseases are the primary driver of health care costs—accounting for 90 cents of every dollar we spend on health care in this country. The burden of chronic disease is clearly one of the costliest challenges we face as a nation and must be a top priority for policy reform. “With that top of mind, PFCD   strongly opposes the Administration’s latest efforts to call for MFN pricing and warns that tying U.S. drug prices to foreign price controls would limit patient access to life-saving treatments, stifle medical innovation, and disproportionately harm those with chronic conditions. “While intended to reduce drug prices, an MFN policy would import foreign price controls from countries that use discriminatory pricing measures like the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) to ration health care. These types of cost-effectiveness measures systematically devalue the lives of seniors, people with disabilities, and those with chronic diseases to deny them access to the treatment their doctors recommend. “Added concerns about how MFN policies would negatively impact people living with chronic disease include: Delays and Denials of Care: Countries the MFN policy seeks to emulate routinely ration care, leaving patients waiting years for access to innovative treatments, if they ever get access at all. Ethical Risks of Foreign Price Controls: MFN would allow foreign governments to dictate what treatments are available to American patients, undermining patient and provider choice. Provider Reimbursement Cuts: MFN’s slashing of reimbursement rates would force providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, to reduce or eliminate participation in public health plans, further shrinking access for vulnerable populations. Stifling U.S. Medical Innovation: Pegging U.S. prices to foreign benchmarks erodes incentives to develop the next generation of cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other chronic diseases. Threats to Personalized Medicine and Equitable Care for All Who Need It: MFN prioritizes cost over care, hitting minority populations and patients with complex chronic conditions hardest by limiting treatment options. “PFCD urges policymakers to reject MFN and pursue more patient-focused solutions to address rising out-of-pocket costs, like reining in PBMs and insurers. To truly make America healthy, policymakers should seek to expand access to affordable medicines without compromising care quality, innovation, or patient choice.” ###

July 31, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) has issued the following statement in response to the Senate HELP Committee hearing, “Making Health Care Affordable: Solutions to Lower Costs and Empower Patients”: “The Senate HELP Committee did the American public a tremendous service when guiding today’s informative and eye-opening discussion. We appreciate the leadership of Chair Cassidy, Ranking Member Sanders, and all members of the Committee for addressing the pressing challenges of cost and access in our health care system. “The hearing underscored the growing burden of chronic disease and the structural barriers that make it difficult for patients to manage their health effectively. Conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and depression affect tens of millions of Americans. For many, coverage decisions, shifting formularies, and limitations on pharmacy access create delays in care, financial stress, and worsened health outcomes. “The Committee’s focus on the role of intermediaries, including pharmacy benefit managers and insurers, is especially important. The impact of opaque pricing and coverage practices reaches across every community, and the need for greater accountability is clear. “We welcome continued collaboration on policies that prioritize the needs of people living with chronic conditions. A stronger commitment to transparency, affordability, and continuity of care will help ensure that individuals can manage their health without encountering unnecessary obstacles. “We thank the Committee once again for convening this important hearing.”