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Managing chronic diseases remains a significant challenge in U.S. healthcare, both in terms of the total cost of care and poor patient outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 90% of the nation’s $5.3 trillion annual healthcare expenditures go toward preventing, treating, and managing chronic disease (including both physical and mental health chronic conditions).
The sheer number of Americans impacted by chronic disease is significant and growing. Six in 10 Americans have at least one chronic health condition, and four in 10 have two or more. Chronic disease is a factor in eight of the 10 leading causes of death. Further, the risk of developing a chronic condition and experiencing complications or premature death from these conditions increases with age, demographic factors, and social determinants of health—such as a person’s education level, access to care, and the neighborhood in which they live.