Preventing Chronic Disease: Research and Data

To manage and prevent chronic illness effectively, we must track leading health indicators and use data-driven approaches to determine where to prioritize resources. Public health surveillance and applied epidemiology help monitor chronic disease burden, assess risk factors, and inform interventions. 

The following are some common chronic disease causes and risk factors that must be addressed:

• Health Behaviors: Poor nutrition, insufficient physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and inadequate sleep can all increase the risk of developing one or more chronic diseases.
• Environmental and Social Factors: Where people live, work, and play influences their ability to access nutritious food, health care services, and quality air and water—all of which impacts chronic disease prevention and management.
• Other Health Factors or Conditions: Mental health conditions, genetics, and family history of disease can all contribute to an increased risk of developing a chronic disease. 

Improving overall public health involves addressing chronic disease at every stage, from prevention to management and treatment. Prevention efforts can range from research on the quality of foods and products to public health communication efforts targeting high-risk populations to encourage them to make healthy behavior changes and engage in other preventive care. Evidence-based practices should be used to help individuals who are managing or in treatment for a chronic disease, which can range from medication to community-based services. 

The cost of chronic disease care continues to increase and accounts for nearly 90% of total health care expenditures in the United States. Steps must be taken to help improve the quality of care while decreasing costs through innovative payment and care delivery models. RTI experts have been at the forefront of value-based care efforts by helping to build, implement, and evaluate programs that prioritize care coordination, patient experience, and provider performance to improve health outcomes. 

Improving the health of America’s youth means understanding the risk factors and impacts of chronic disease on children and adolescents, including focusing on exposure to environmental toxins, nutrition, and physical activity. Today’s youth also face mental health stressors and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that could impact health behavior and increase risk for chronic conditions.