International perspectives

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic disease is increasing throughout the world, and approximately 70% of deaths in all countries are due to non-communicable diseases. This chapter provides an overview of the burden of chronic disease and describes health care policies and strategies implemented in four countries: Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. We focus on these industrialized countries because they share similar demographic profiles and burden of chronic disease burden with each other, as well as with the United States. These four countries have addressed their growing chronic disease populations by implementing promising policies and delivery system innovations from which the United States can potentially learn.