In recent years, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses have quietly become one of the most urgent health crises of our time.
These long-term conditions are no longer limited to the elderly. People of all ages are now affected — and the strain on our healthcare system and economy continues to grow.
Despite being largely preventable, chronic conditions now account for over 75% of all deaths globally, according to Vox. In the US, nearly 60% of adults live with at least one chronic condition, and 4 in 10 have two or more, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With the numbers rising year after year, many experts are now calling this a silent epidemic.
So, what's fueling this crisis, and how is healthcare adapting?
The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation paints a sobering picture in their report, The Growing Burden of Chronic Diseases. They talk about how chronic illnesses are now responsible for about 90% of the $4.5 trillion the US spends annually on healthcare. Sadly, the stats clearly show that nine out of every ten healthcare dollars are spent on managing conditions that are often preventable.
“Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States,” the NIHCM report explains. “Yet, many are linked to preventable risk factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption.”
And it is not just the elderly who are being affected. The CDC’s most recent surveillance study using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that chronic conditions are steadily increasing across all age groups. Young adults, in particular, are experiencing earlier onset of conditions like Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, conditions that were once seen mainly in older adults.
Experts cite several causes for the rise in chronic diseases — including sedentary lifestyles, processed diets, stress, and mental health challenges.
A July 2022 report by the United States Joint Economic Committee (JEC) explains that chronic conditions disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. People who are a part of these groups often lack access to healthcare, food, and safe environments to exercise, and undisputedly, all of these contribute to higher disease rates.
“Chronic conditions are not just a health issue. They are an equity issue,” said Congressman Don Beyer, Chair of the JEC. “We must address the root causes, poverty, limited access to care, and unequal health outcomes if we are going to turn this around.”
A CDC study published in 2024 highlighted dramatic differences in chronic disease prevalence depending on where people live. Zip codes can be more predictive of health than genetics, with rural and economically disadvantaged areas seeing far higher rates of conditions like obesity, COPD, and diabetes.
The financial impact of chronic diseases is staggering. These illnesses aren’t just costly to treat — they also reduce productivity, increase absenteeism, and contribute to early mortality.
According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 90 cents of every U.S. healthcare dollar is spent treating people with chronic conditions. That adds up to roughly $4.1 trillion per year.
To put that in perspective: if chronic care spending were a national budget, it would rank as the fourth-largest economy in the world — just behind Japan.
But the price tag does not stop with treatment. Chronic diseases also cost billions in lost productivity, missed workdays, disability benefits, and premature deaths. The Milken Institute estimates that chronic conditions result in over $1.1 trillion in indirect economic losses every year, largely due to people leaving the workforce early or struggling with daily functioning.
“Chronic illnesses reduce earning power and widen existing health disparities,” the JEC report states. “This is not just about hospital bills, it is about weakening the foundation of our economy.”
Employers, too, are feeling the pinch. A study from the Milken Institute found that businesses lose over $260 billion annually due to employees’ reduced performance from chronic conditions. For small businesses with limited staff, even one employee dealing with a serious illness can cause major disruptions.
And the burden is disproportionately heavier in underserved communities. People in low-income areas are more likely to develop chronic conditions earlier and face more barriers to treatment, which means that they miss more work and accumulate more costs over time. As a result, health disparities widen, and cycles of poverty and illness deepen.
“Chronic diseases are draining our health system and stalling our economic progress,” said economist Karen Conway from the Healthcare Supply Chain Association. “Every dollar we spend on reactive care is a dollar not spent on prevention.”
While the numbers are concerning, there is hope in how technology is changing the chronic care industry.
The rise of telehealth and wearable technology has opened new doors for managing chronic diseases more proactively. A report from Healthcare IT News noted that remote monitoring tools, such as smart blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors, and fitness trackers, are allowing healthcare providers to track patient data in real-time and intervene before emergencies arise.
“Telehealth has been a game-changer,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, a family physician in Dallas. “It allows us to stay connected with patients, catch warning signs early, and help them manage their conditions without frequent office visits.”
The Wiley Online Library also highlighted how wearable devices can empower patients to take control of their health. These tools can nudge users to move more, eat better, and stay on track with medication, small changes that can make a huge difference over time.
Even artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a role. According to a 2024 report by ICF, AI-powered platforms can analyze huge volumes of patient data to predict flare-ups, recommend personalized treatment plans, and flag at-risk individuals.
Chronic care once meant juggling multiple doctor visits and medication schedules. But virtual-first healthcare models like remote patient monitoring are streamlining this.
Companies like Wheel Health argue that virtual care is not just more convenient, it is also more cost-effective. “Virtual-first care models reduce the need for costly ER visits and hospital stays,” their blog states. “They help patients navigate chronic care more efficiently, and that’s good for everyone, patients, providers, and payers.”
A blog by Amazon Web Services goes a step further and describes how integrating care across providers and platforms can break down healthcare silos. “Patients living with chronic conditions should not have to be project managers for their health,” the article notes. “Digital coordination is key.”
As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Technology and virtual care are making progress, but experts agree that prevention is still the best medicine.
According to the CDC, just four behaviours, poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol overuse, are responsible for most chronic diseases. But changing these behaviors is not always easy, especially when people are dealing with stress, food insecurity, or lack of safe spaces to exercise.
“Prevention takes more than information — it requires actionable support and systems that make healthy choices easier.,” said Dr. Janet Wright, a public health advisor with the CDC. “We need community-based efforts that make the healthy choice the easy choice, whether that means improving school lunches or creating smoke-free environments.”
Programs like community health workers and wellness incentives from employers are all helping to shift the focus upstream, from treating illness to preventing it in the first place.
While chronic conditions affect people across all walks of life, they don’t do so equally. Race, income, geography, and access to care play a huge role in determining who gets sick, and who gets sicker.
According to the CDC’s 2024 report on sociodemographic and geographic variations, people living in low-income neighbourhoods or rural areas are significantly more likely to suffer from multiple chronic conditions. Factors like poor access to fresh food, limited transportation, lack of healthcare facilities, and even unsafe environments for physical activity all contribute to this imbalance.
“These disparities didn’t happen overnight,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. “They’re the result of decades of structural inequalities, like underfunded public health systems and systemic racism in healthcare.”
Data shows that Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations bear a disproportionate burden. For instance, Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as white Americans. Native American communities face some of the highest rates of heart disease and obesity, while Hispanic individuals often experience delayed diagnosis due to a lack of insurance or language barriers.
The cost of these disparities goes beyond individual suffering. As the United States Joint Economic Committee points out, communities struggling with higher disease rates also face lower economic productivity, higher unemployment, and greater reliance on public health programs.
To close the gap, experts argue for more community-focused interventions. Programs that bring care directly to underserved populations, such as mobile clinics, culturally competent telehealth services, and school-based health education, have shown promising results. Technology also offers new hope. As highlighted by ICF and Amazon Web Services, digital health innovations like AI-powered diagnostics and remote monitoring tools are beginning to reach marginalized groups, helping detect and manage conditions earlier.
Technology helps, but it’s not enough. “Solving health disparities means addressing root causes like poverty, housing, and education,” noted a health representative in a 2023 statement. “Health equity isn’t just about giving everyone the same treatment, it is about ensuring everyone has the same chance to be healthy in the first place.”
Yet, millions still struggle due to the lack of awareness, support, or resources. It is important to promote healthier choices at both individual and community levels. After all, prevention is not just better than cure, it is also far more affordable and sustainable.
Simple habits, like eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, quitting smoking, and reducing stress, can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other long-term illnesses. According to the CDC, healthier behaviors could prevent up to 80% of heart disease and stroke cases and over a third of cancers.
Managing chronic conditions no longer requires frequent trips to the doctor’s office.
Thanks to Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and telehealth, patients can now receive care from the comfort of home — a major advantage for those with mobility challenges or who live in rural areas.
RPM involves using smart devices, like blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors, or even wearables like Fitbits, that send health data to a healthcare provider in real-time. This allows doctors to spot warning signs early and adjust treatment before things escalate. A 2025 article from Healthcare IT News highlights how RPM has helped reduce hospital readmissions and emergency room visits among patients with heart failure and diabetes.
Telehealth, on the other hand, enables virtual visits through video or phone calls. Patients can consult doctors or even attend therapy sessions without leaving home. As Wheel Health reports, this convenience not only improves patient satisfaction but also lowers overall healthcare costs.
Together, RPM and telehealth form a powerful combination. Patients feel more in control of their care, providers can intervene earlier, and health systems can allocate resources more efficiently. “This isn’t just a temporary shift, it’s the future of chronic care,” said a spokesperson from PharmD Live.
Chronic diseases are no longer a future threat — they are here, shaping how we live and age. The good news in all this? We are not powerless. With the right mix of prevention, policy, technology, and compassion, we can turn the tide.
At Tellihealth, we believe smarter, more connected care is key to managing this crisis. Whether it’s through real-time monitoring, virtual check-ins, or proactive care coordination, our solutions help patients take control of their health — and help providers stay one step ahead.
Ready to see how Tellihealth’s intelligent remote care solutions can transform your chronic care strategy? Schedule a demo with our team today.