Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes,
now account for 80% of deaths in the United States and 75% of health care costs.1 In
2005, 44% of all Americans had at least 1 chronic condition and 13% had 3 or more.
By 2020, an estimated 157 million US residents will have 1 chronic condition or more.1
With this growing burden of chronic disease, the medical and public health communities
are re-examining their roles and envisioning innovative partnership opportunities
for more effective interventions for chronic disease prevention and management at
a population level.