Chronic Disease Management and the Healthcare Workforce

Abstract

While this report is about the healthcare workforce, it is difficult to talk about capacity, demand for services, and growth potential without a discussion of the disease and wellness management. To that end, the next section of the report looks at the healthcare workforce through the lens of key chronic diseases, their prevention and management. We look at Chronic Disease because "currently, some 50% of the US population has a chronic disease, creating an epidemic, and 86% of healthcare costs are attributable to chronic disease." 1 Furthermore, according to the CDC "90% of the nation's $4.1 trillion in annual healthcare expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions." 2The differences between acute and chronic disease are numerous and are illustrated in Table 1. 2

Training the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders to Tackle Chronic Disease in Delaware:

“…1 In a previous issue of the Delaware Journal of Public Health (December 2022), data on the geographic distribution of chronic illness in the state was presented, illustrating patterns of disease and their relationship to demographic patterns. Of note, the authors posit that, “an aging population [in Delaware] is more likely to develop chronic disease as a natural result of the aging process.” 2 Indeed, medical treatment advancements have extended the lifespan and quality of life for many living with chronic diseases, resulting in an increased need for disease management and support. The realm of chronic diseases and public health is continually broadening, incorporating innovative approaches for both preventing and managing these conditions.…”

Transforming global approaches to chronic disease prevention and management across the lifespan: integrating genomics, behavior change, and digital health solutions

“…We have a syndemic driven by the existing chronic disease pandemic overlaid by the newer COVID-19 pandemic (4). A key challenge in the syndemic is to provide adequately resourced and well-trained public and clinical health workforces (5)(6)(7).…”