Chronic diseases are one of the greatest global healthcare challenges, and unpacking their complexities is essential to developing the next generation of medical professionals. These conditions contribute to a lifetime of chronic illness, and impact 54 million Americans. These chronic conditions have the highest prevalence listed in order including hypertension, asthma, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, mental health disorders/addiction and obesity. Each of these conditions poses its own set of challenges and typically occurs simultaneously with other chronic conditions, making diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common chronic condition. It severely impacts almost half of all adults. Healthcare providers are now more focused than ever on the need to help patients manage this chronic condition well over a lifetime.
“Once you develop hypertension, you’ll need to manage it for life,” – Safai
The risk of having hypertension increases significantly with age, especially among those aged 50+.
“You’ll generally see it in patients who are over 50, and at over 60, the prevalence is even higher.” – Safai
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) deserves the spotlight, impacting over one in seven adults. CKD can have devastating consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated. We know early diagnosis is the most important thing, but too many patients still don’t know that they have the disease.
“It can be easy to miss it — nine out of ten patients don’t realize they have the illness,” – Tim Pflederer
Asthma is another important inflammatory disease marked by long-standing inflammation in all the airways. impacting an estimated 1 in 11 children and 1 in 12 adults throughout the United States. The agency projects that by 2050, the number of Americans living with asthma will increase to 13 million. This increase highlights the importance of targeting effective management strategies to prevent exacerbations and the associated increased risk of mortality.
“Once you’ve had an attack, you risk death.” – Safai
Diabetes, a chronic, life-long disease, is divided into two major types, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 2 diabetes is more commonly associated with diet and lifestyle and, if left uncontrolled, can result in serious complications. We need medical professionals skilled at identifying the symptoms and recommending steps for prevention.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are serious conditions, with early warning signs such as memory loss that interferes with a person’s daily life. Alzheimer’s was the fifth-leading cause of death among Americans age 65 or older in 2021. Being aware of early symptoms is key as these innovative therapies start to become available.
“Know the early warning signs because there are treatments that are beginning to emerge,” – Brandt
Arthritis has a significant impact across the country, affecting one in five women and one in six men, 21% of women and 16% of men, in 2022. It is categorized into two main types: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While osteoarthritis typically affects one or two joints (such as knees or hips), rheumatoid arthritis may affect many joints. Educating international clinical and research communities about these differences is critical for effective diagnosis and treatment.
“You should know how to differentiate the two types,” – Safai
Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are often first diagnosed by primary care doctors. The increasing burden of mental health disorders underscores the need for timely identification and development of treatment strategies.
Addiction continues to be acute challenge across American society, impacting millions of Americans with substance use disorders. Understanding addiction as a chronic illness is essential for creating more effective intervention tactics that can better help patients on their road to recovery.
Today, obesity rates in the United States are at an all-time high, with almost 2 in 5 adults being classified as obese. Obesity often causes chronic health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This dual reality demands more efficient, complete, holistic approaches to maintenance and management.
For medical students and healthcare professionals in general, equipping ourselves with the knowledge of these chronic diseases is imperative.
“Most students will finish with information about the most common chronic illnesses,” – Safai
Better diagnosis of these conditions is needed and not just within OB/GYN specialty but across all medical specialties.
“But it’s important to be able to spot and diagnose these conditions properly, no matter what your area of specialty.” – Safai
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