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Last Updated: 09/28/11 02:03:18 PM

Chronic Disease Cost

The United States cannot effectively address escalating health care costs without addressing the problem of chronic diseases:
  • More than 90 million Americans live with chronic illnesses.

  • Chronic diseases account for 70% of all deaths in the United States.
    The medical care costs of people with chronic diseases account for more than 75% of the nation's $1.4 trillion medical care costs.

  • Chronic diseases account for one-third of the years of potential life lost before age 65. Hospitalizations for pregnancy-related complications occurring before delivery account for more than $1 billion annually.

  • The direct and indirect costs of diabetes are nearly $132 billion a year.

  • Each year, arthritis results in estimated medical care costs of more than $22 billion, and estimated total costs (medical care and lost productivity) of almost $82 billion.

  • The estimated direct and indirect costs associated with smoking exceed $75 billion annually.

  • In 2001, approximately $300 billion was spent on all cardiovascular diseases. Over $129 in lost productivity was due to cardiovascular disease.

  • The direct medical costs associated with physical inactivity were nearly $76.6 billion in 2000.

  • Nearly $68 billion is spent on dental services each year.

Talking Points Chronic
Cost-Effectiveness of Prevention
  • For a cost ranging from $1,108 to $4,542 for smoking cessation programs, 1 quality adjusted year of life is saved. Smoking cessation interventions have been called the gold standard of cost-effective interventions.
    The direct medical costs associated with physical inactivity were $29 billion in 1987 and nearly $76.6 billion in 2000. Engaging in regular physical activity is associated with taking less medication and having fewer hospitalizations and physician visits.
  • For every $1 spent on preconception care programs for women with diabetes, $1.86 can be saved by preventing birth defects among their offspring.
  • According to one Northern California study, for every $1 spent on the Arthritis Self-Help Program, $3.42 was saved in physician visits and hospital costs.
  • A mammogram every 2 years for women aged 50-69 costs about $9,000 per year of life saved. This cost compares favorably with other widely used clinical preventive services. For the cost of 100 Papanicolaou (PAP) tests for low-income elderly women, about $5,907 and 3.7 years of life are saved.
  • After controlling for physical limitation and major socioeconomic factors, more than 12% of annual medical costs of the inactive persons with arthritis are associated with physical inactivity. Physical activity interventions may be a cost-effective strategy for reducing the burden of arthritis.
For more information on the costs related to chronic disease, The Council of State Governments has compiled a comprehensive guide entitled:

The Chronic Disease Program is part of the Nevada State Health
Division and all information contained on this site is maintained by that agency.

 
Contact Information
4150 Technology Way, Suite 210
Carson City, NV 89706
775-684-4253
Email:
kfahey@health.nv.gov
 
CDPHP
Statutory
Councils

 Advisory Council for Fitness
   & Wellness
  AC4OH
 Nevada Diabetes Council
    (NDC)

 Heart and Stroke Advisory
    Council (link under
    development, 10/2012)

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Nevada State Health Division
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