There has been a tremendous increase in chronic disease in the United States resulting in increased cost of care for all Americans, as well as increased barriers to appropriate care for many patients.
The Chronic Care Policy Alliance supports:
- Appropriate mandatory training for K-12 and college level students, as well as in adult level community education programs about good health (or healthy lifestyle) choices.
This education should also focus on the need for appropriate protocols and safety measures needed by patients afflicted by chronic disease and healthy lifestyles as a mechanism to avoid or lessen the effects of chronic disease.
- Appropriate incentives for healthy lifestyles should be provided by health insurance plans to members including proper nutrition, physical activity, and avoidance of dangerous and addictive substances.
- Health screenings should be readily available and accessible for all patients who may suffer from or be at risk of chronic disease, the most vulnerable, high-risk patients, and those who are medically underserved.
- Public, private and community partner should work together to promote:
- wellness and chronic disease prevention, utilizing early intervention tools and management models incorporated throughout private and public healthcare systems.
- evaluation, education, and coordination of chronic conditions in all prevention and wellness programs.
- Increased health care productivity through the use of multi-disciplinary, primary care medical home models, comprehensive medication management, and patient-centered access to all three levels of prevention (primary, secondary, tertiary).
- healthy lifestyles in workplaces, schools, and communities by establishing a collaborative between business, health plans, faith-based, not-for-profit health organizations, consumer groups, and educational institutions, school health centers, government, and other community entities to sustain positive changes in health behaviors.