Around the world, deadly chronic diseases have been surging and now account for 75 percent of all global deaths.
Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia are leading the way.
Multimorbidity (having multiple chronic conditions) is increasing rapidly, especially among those 80 and older, according to a medical journal report from the Mayo Clinic.
Chronic diseases have become the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
Noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, kill 41 million people every year.
These conditions now amount to 75% of deaths globally.
In the U.S., these conditions account for 8 out of the top 10 causes of death.
The shift from infectious diseases to chronic, noncommunicable ailments began in the early 1900s.
It was driven by improvements in sanitation, nutrition, and medical technology.
However, this transition has come with its own set of challenges.
As the population ages and lifestyles change, the prevalence of chronic diseases continues to climb.
The cost to health systems is staggering — over $1 trillion annually in the U.S. alone.
Among chronic diseases, four stand out as particularly impactful: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Cancer follows closely behind, claiming over 600,000 lives annually.
Diabetes affects more than 37 million Americans, with millions more undiagnosed or living with prediabetes.
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are rapidly growing concerns, with an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and over currently affected.
These conditions not only impact your health and longevity but also place an enormous financial burden on individuals and healthcare systems.
The global cost of cancer alone is projected to reach $25 trillion between 2020 and 2050.
Account for nearly half of that cost are five cancers:
- Tracheal, bronchial, and lung
- Colon and rectal
- Breast
- Liver
- Leukemia
Close to 60% of American adults have at least one chronic disease.
About 40% suffer from multiple chronic conditions.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Public Health has also projected a significant increase in chronic diseases among adults aged 50 and older.
By 2050, the number of Americans in this age group is expected to surge by 61%, reaching 221 million.
Further, those with at least one chronic condition are projected to increase by 99.5%, from 71.5 million in 2020 to 142.7 million by 2050.8
Researchers considered nine major chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung diseases, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and psychiatric problems.
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