Better overall health care can be a key driver for U.S. economy
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease issued the following statement following last night’s Republican Presidential debate:
With half of all American adults struggling with at least one chronic condition, and almost one in three living with multiple chronic conditions, it is increasingly clear that the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs must be addressed and should be a primary focus of discussions on health care. GOP candidate Mike Huckabee highlighted “the things that are really driving medical costs in this country,” and rightfully so. Huckabee’s suggestion that the next President declare a war on chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s has merit and should be a call to action for all other candidates to take a comprehensive look at how improving the nation’s health can serve as an important catalyst not just for the next term but more importantly, for the future of our U.S. economy. There is simply no doubt that if we were healthier, we would be wealthier.
It is critical that the next leader of this country holds health care, not sick care, as a top priority for their administration. To make a true and sustainable impact on rising health care costs, the care curve needs to bend towards prevention, not just treatment.
Chronic diseases have an incredible impact on the economy, a great deal of that being the costs of lost productivity. The health of our population is a key indicator of the health of our economy. Investing in a healthy, and ultimately more productive workforce can only provide greater returns to the U.S. going forward, and Americans need to be able to trust that our next leader can ignite progress in both the short and long terms for the overall health of our nation, both physical and fiscal.
About The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease. For a collection of statistics and commentary on the impact of chronic disease, please visit almanac.fightchronicdisease.org.
Media Contact
PFCD
Jennifer Burke
Jennifer.burke@fightchronicdisease.org