Cause and effect of chronic disease and its impact in the United States
********* **** Techniques 1 – Week 3
****** ****** – Student ID: *******
Instructor: ******* *****
April 18, 2010

The United States is experiencing an unsustainable disease burden; 130 million people today suffer from chronic diseases, taking a tremendous toll on individuals, families, and communities. In addition to lives lost and quality of life lost, we are also a nation in crisis, an economic crisis. We spend over $2 trillion a year, about 16 percent of our gross domestic product on health care. 75 cents of every health care dollar we spend is on treatment of chronic disease, most of which is preventable. If we do not reverse this trend, chronic disease
Chronic conditions; such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, asthma, and arthritis, as well as mental health are complex and expensive to manage and treat. Communities and health care facilities need to interact and become proactive towards addressing a range of topics such as:
• Making an economic assessment for businesses and employers to take action on chronic diseases and conditions.
• Identifying successful models for engaging businesses and employers in chronic disease prevention and management efforts.
• Building an economic assessment towards reducing the excess burden of chronic diseases among vulnerable populations and regions of the country.
• Assessing the economic impact of chronic disease prevention strategies for children and youth.
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• Identifying effective methods and tools for delivering comprehensive care for chronic conditions in workplaces, homes and communities.
• Promoting approaches and tools, including those involving businesses and employers, to support individuals in their own care and self-management.

Dialogue among leaders in communities, health care facilities, businesses, and employers involving critical exchange, commitment towards understanding, and implementation are factors critical towards stimulating action. Chronic health conditions are a substantial challenge to global health. By 2020 they will account for 73% of all deaths and