Costly chronic conditions to afflict half of U.S. population, findings show

National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC) and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) sponsor national meeting

Approximately two-thirds of Medicare spending is for persons with five or more chronic conditions, and by 2030, half of all Americans will have one or more chronic conditions, according to findings presented May 16 at a conference sponsored by the National Coalition on Health Care and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

In a new report on chronic illnesses released in Washington, researchers said the health care system needs to focus on treating chronic conditions, which will become more prevalent as the population ages. Gerard Anderson, director of the Center for Hospital Finance and Management, said chronic conditions represent the second most common reason for declaring bankruptcy. Carolyn Clancy, M.D. and acting director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, said leaders in the field need to establish an evidence base to manage chronic conditions, assume an interdisciplinary approach, and work to translate research findings into improved practice. More Information