An increasing societal emphasis on health, as well as availability of better health screenings, will help more people take proactive steps to prevent chronic conditions.
Because our population is aging, the incidence of comorbidities will increase despite more screening and preventive measures.
Data indicate that the U.S. obesity rate may have plateaued between 1999 and 2010, but now it is on the rise again.
Calorie intake among both adults and children has decreased in recent years as public health campaigns promote healthy eating and as social stigma and the financial cost of overeating rise.
Employers and insurers are incorporating consumer healthfulness into their business plans.
What It Means for HIV
With antiretroviral therapy, long-term survival is improving for people with HIV. Yet, people with HIV age five to 14 years faster than people without HIV, which may translate into earlier onset of some chronic conditions for them compared with those who are HIV-negative.
With this in mind, the HIV: The Long View Coalition believes…
The number of older people with HIV will grow, and we will spend more resources on prevention and management of their chronic conditions.
Quality of life will become a much more important measure of health for people living with HIV.
The Milken Institute reports that there will be a 42 percent increase in seven chronic diseases in the United States by 2023. These are diseases that worry most of us – cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, lung and mental health disorders – and that can often be prevented.
But even in those who take the very best care of themselves, aging brings increased risk of chronic diseases and other health complications.
The public is well aware of the challenge of chronic conditions, with 32 to 55 percent saying either they or someone they know has cancer, heart disease, diabetes, smoking-related disease, osteoporosis, or is obese. Large proportions of the public say these chronic conditions will continue to be a problem for both individuals and our society in 20 years.
There is a growing movement toward empowering individuals and communities to take action for healthy living, and doctors need to share in this responsibility.
The information contained on this site is intended for audiences in the United States only. The content on this site may not apply to non-U.S. audiences as regulatory control, legal requirements, and/or medical practices may vary in other countries.