New Almanac Confronts the High Costs of Chronic Disease

By Kohlway, Elizabeth

TODAY, more than 130 million Americans are living with one or more chronic diseases, with more than 75 cents of every health care dollar going toward treating such conditions, most of which are preventable. But current chronic disease costs are little when compared to the price the nation could pay in the future, according to a report released in June by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. With chronic disease diagnoses expected to increase in coming years, the report called for increased preventive measures, better health education and promotion, and a more supportive health care infrastructure.

Chronic disease is frequently associated with older adults, but according to the report, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases affect all age groups, both women and men, and especially minority communities. In fact, blacks and Hispanics are one-and-a-half to two times more likely than whites to be affected.

“With this information, we must begin to create an environment where (unhealthy practices) are culturally unacceptable,” said Michael D. Parkinson, MD, MPH, FACPM, president of the American College of Preventive Medicine.

For example, motivation alone will not always drive an overweight person to transform her or his life, Parkinson said. To be successful, many people also need education on healthy eating, access to supportive health care professionals and financial help via their health insurance coverage, Parkinson noted.

“In order to change anything, you need incentive, information and infrastructure,” Parkinson said.

Building up supportive infrastructures is especially daunting, Parkinson said, and will require, in part, that policy-makers commit to investing in prevention.

“We must have policies and environments that make prevention possible,” said Parkinson, an APHA member.

Tailoring such environments to speak to and meet the needs of growing minority communities is particularly crucial, said Amanda Caballero-Holmes, vice president of community health initiatives at the National Latina Health Network. A large portion of the Hispanic population is underinsured or uninsured, which makes prevention a necessary focus, CaballeroHolmes noted.

“We are really stressing the need for people to take ownership of their lives,” Caballero-Holmes told The Nation’s Health.

Language and lack of funding make translating outreach tools difficult, Cabellero-Holmes said. However, the National Latina Health Network’s “Hoy en Adelante” – “From Today On” – diabetes program customizes its activities, screening and education to each region, she said, noting that strong community-based groups are critical in creating effective preventative action.

For a copy of the “Almanac of Clironic Disease, 2008 Edition,” visit www.fightchronicdisease. org/resources.

– Elizabeth Kohlway

Supportive environments that promote physical activity and healthy eating could head off chronic disease, a new report says.

Copyright American Public Health Association Aug 2008

(c) 2008 Nation’s Health, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.