The cost of treating Americans with such conditions rose to $1.7 trillion in 2007, according to the Almanac of Chronic Disease released this week. The 92-page report defines chronic conditions as incurable illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, cancer and diabetes.
About 45 percent of all Americans, around 133 million, have one or more chronic conditions. Rising rates of obesity and a lack of emphasis on preventive care are spurring a rapid increase in those numbers, which have quadrupled over the last four decades, according to the report.
The Partnership, a national coalition of patients, healthcare providers, business and labor groups, is chaired by former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD.
Read the full Almanac of Chronic Disease (pdf).
