New Study: Chronic Diseases Cost New England More Than $70 Billion Annually
October 17, 2007
NEW STUDY: CHRONIC DISEASES COST NEW ENGLAND MORE THAN $70 BILLION ANNUALLY
Presidental campaign representatives to speak on role of disease prevention in presidential politics
BOSTON, Oct.17 -- Chronic diseases drain the New England economy of more than $70 billion annually, and three New England states have among the nation's highest rates of common and preventable chronic diseases. These and other findings of a groundbreaking new study by the Milken Institute will be the subject of a wide-ranging forum today, featuring policy representatives of the major 2008 Presidential campaigns.
"The new Milken Institute study makes abundantly clear that we all pay when our population is unhealthy," said Wendy Everett, Sc.D., president of the New England Healthcare Institute, sponsor of today's forum. "The 2008 Presidential campaigns are all talking about access to health care -- but few are talking about hour health. We are eager to expand the 2008 healthcare debate beyond universal coverage to issues of disease prevention, management, and wellness."
Timothy Johnson, M.D., medical editor for ABC News, will moderate a panel discussion, featuring representatives of the Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama Presidential campaigns, focused on candidates' healthcare platforms and how -- and whether -- they address prevention and wellness.
The Milken Institue study, "An Unhealthy America: The economic Burden of Chronic Disease" finds that seven chronic diseases -- cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions, and mental illness -- cost the nation $1.3 trillion annually, including $277 billion for treatment and nearly $1.1 trillion in lost productivity.
"The bad news is that the economic impact of chronic disease is significant and has been overlooked for too long," said Ross DeVol, principal author of "An Unhealthy America" and director of health economic and regional economics for the Milken Institute. "The good news is that many chronic illnesses are avoidable and, with disease prevention and management, so are the costs." DeVol will present and discuss his findings at the NEHI forum.
The study ranks all 50 states by the number of chronic diseases per capita. Five out of six New England states rank in the bottom half of all states; only New Hampshire ranks as high as 18th. With 1 representing the state with the best rate, the New England state rankings are as follows:
- New Hampshire 18
- Vermont 26
- Connecticut 34
- Massachusetts 40
- Maine 43
- Rhode Island 44
The study finds the following annual economic impact of chronic disease in New England (data are from the year 2003; all costs are in billions).
If today's trends continue, the annual economic impact of chronic disease in New England would balloon to more than $206 billion by 2023, the Milken study projects. WIth modest improvements in disease prevention and treatment, however, New Engalnd states could reduce the economic impact of chronic disease by about 26 percent, or by more than $54 billion annually.
"An Unhealthy America," available at www.chronicdiseaseimpact.org , buttresses the findings of The Boston Paradox: Lots of Health Care, Not Enough Health, a June 2007 report by NEHI and The Boston Foundation. The Boston Paradox, available at www.nehi.net , found that a rising incidence of preventable chronic disease is threatening not only the ehalth of the region, but its economy and economic competitiveness as well.
The NEHI forum will be held from 7:45 am to noon at the Colonnade Hotel. In addition to the presidential campaign panel, the forum will include a panel discussion of state- and employer- led innovations in chronic disease prevention and management.
About NEHI:
The New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI) is a not-for-profit collaborative dedicated to transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients and their families. Through research, edocation, and policy change, NEHI finds and promotes ways to improve healthcare quality and lower healthcare costs. Working collaboratively with nearly 100 members from all sectors of healthcare, NEHI forges bold and lasting solutions to the healthcare crisis. For more information, please visit www.nehi.net .
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