Chronic Conditions A Challenge for the 21st Century

Abstract

Chronic conditions are the major cause of illness, disability, and death in the United States. Almost 100 million Americans have chronic conditions and millions more will develop them as America ages. The continued growth in the number of elderly—as baby boomers age and as people live longer—will cause an increase in the number of people who are most vulnerable to and most affected by chronic conditions. Projections indicate that by 2040, almost 160 million people will have chronic con- ditions. The cost of medical care for Americans with chronic conditions was $470 bil- lion in 1995. By 2040 that cost could be as high as $864 billion.1