According to the IOM report, chronic illness represents 75 percent of the $2 trillion in annual U.S. healthcare spending. The nine chronic conditions specific by the IOM are arthritis, cancer survivorship, chronic pain, dementia, depression, type 2 diabetes, posttraumatic disabling conditions, schizophrenia and vision and hearing loss.
In order to contain the growing incidence of these chronic conditions as well as healthcare costs, an IOM committee has offered several strategies on how to reduce “the epidemic of chronic illness”:
• CDC should select a variety of chronic illnesses that merit public health action but should be careful not to duplicate any ongoing public health efforts.
• The CDC should also develop a program designed to establish strategies for preventing the emergence of new chronic conditions.
• The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services should support states’ efforts to establish strategic plans with a focus on public health. The plans should include specific goals, time frames and actions.
• Federal and state government should boost surveillance programs, such as longitudinal evaluations, to better inform public health initiatives.
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