Infographics
The Growing Burden of Chronic Diseases
Published on: April 03, 2025.
90%
of the $4.5 trillion spent on US health care in 2022 was to care for people experiencing chronic physical and mental health conditions.
Chronic diseases affect approximately 60% of Americans, with many individuals suffering from more than one chronic illness. NIHCM’s latest infographic sheds light on the burden of chronic diseases in the United States, highlighting their prevalence and associated health care costs, and offering actionable strategies to address the rising rates.
Introduction
Chronic diseases affect more than half of the US population: Peter Boersma et al., Preventing Chronic Disease, Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, 2018, 2020
Nearly 6 in 10 Americans with at least one chronic disease: Karen A Hacker et al., Preventing Chronic Disease, COVID-19 and Chronic Disease: The Impact Now and in the Future, 2021
Definition of chronic disease: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Chronic Diseases, 2024
Chronic Diseases in the US
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of illness, death, and disability
Chronic disease risk increases with age, and is impacted by lifestyle factors and social determinants of health
Age: Susan Silberman, National Council on Aging, The Inequities in the Cost of Chronic Disease: Why It Matters for Older Adults, 2022
- Education & Economic Stability
Education Source 1: Vicki Johnson-Lawrence et al., SSM - Population Health Journal, Education, race/ethnicity, and multimorbidity among adults aged 30-64 in the National Health Interview Survey, 2017
Education Source 2: Michael Truong & Susan H Fenton, Perspectives in Health Information Management, Understanding the Current Landscape of Health Literacy Interventions within Health Systems, 2022
Economic Stability: Ruwan Jayathilaka et al., PLOS One, Do chronic illnesses and poverty go hand in hand?, 2020
- Cigarette Smoking & Excessive Alcohol Use
Cigarette Smoking: Caitlin G. Loretan et al., Preventing Chronic Disease, Cigarette Smoking Among US Adults With Selected Chronic Diseases Associated With Smoking, 2010–2019, 2022
Excessive Alcohol Use: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alcohol Use and Your Health, 2024
- Health Care Access & Quality:
- Poor Nutrition & Physical Inactivity
Poor Nutrition: Sareen S. Gropper, Nutrients, The Role of Nutrition in Chronic Disease, 2023
Physical Inactivity: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Physical Activity, 2024
Chronic Disease Deaths
Chronic diseases make up 8 of the 10 leading causes of death in the US: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Leading Causes of Death, 2024
Chronic disease mortality by state:
- Heart Disease Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: I00-I09, I11, I13, and I20-I51. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease mortality is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from diseases of the heart. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
- Cancer Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: C00-C97. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer mortality is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from malignant neoplasms. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
- Stroke Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: I60 - I69. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke mortality is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from cerebrovascular disease. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: J40 - J47. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic lower respiratory disease mortality is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from various lung diseases including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
- Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: G30. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s disease mortality is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from Alzheimer's disease. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
- Diabetes Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: E10 - E14. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes mortality is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from diabetes mellitus. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
- Kidney Disease Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: N00 - N07, N17 - N19, and N25 - N27. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, kidney disease mortality, or mortality from nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis, is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
- Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis Mortality, Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Wonder, About Underlying Causes of Death, 2018 - 2023, Single Race, 2025
NOTE: This source uses 2023, the last available year of mortality data. Data was pulled using ICD-10 Codes: K70 and K73 - K74. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis mortality is the number of deaths and age-adjusted death rates from chronic liver diseases. Historical data was cross-referenced with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics’ Stats of the States.
The Cost of Chronic Diseases
90% of the nation’s $4.5 trillion: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chronic Disease, Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions, 2024
The cost of treating chronic conditions is expensive and expected to rise:
Cancer Care: Angela B. Mariotto et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention, Medical Care Costs Associated with Cancer Survivorship in the United States, 2020
Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias: Alzheimer’s Association, 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2024
Cardiovascular: Dhruv S. Kazi et al., Circulation, Forecasting the Economic Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States Through 2050: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association, 2024
Impact of GLP-1 drugs on health care spending: Elaine Chen, STAT, New studies suggest GLP-1 health care costs have only begun to climb, 2024
Multiple Chronic Conditions: America’s Health Rankings, Multiple Chronic Conditions in United States, 2024
Health Care System Impact: Arlene S. Bierman, Health Services Research, Transforming care for people with multiple chronic conditions: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's research agenda, 2021
Chronic Disease Disparities
The prevalence of chronic conditions varies across racial and ethnic groups & chronic Disease disparities: Nambi Ndugga et al., Kaiser Family Foundation, Key Data on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity, 2024
- NOTE: This source is a KFF analysis of a 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data.
Chronic Disease Risk & Rurality: Sally C. Curtin & Merianne Rose Spencer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Trends in Death Rates in Urban and Rural Areas: United States, 1999–2019, 2021
Addressing Chronic Diseases
Routine Care & Screenings: Expand access to primary care check-ups, screenings, and immunizations to prevent chronic diseases.
Source 1: Maren S. Fragala et al., The American Journal of Managed Care, Population Health Screenings for the Prevention of Chronic Disease Progression, 2019
Source 2: Health Service Care Corporation, Focusing on Preventive Care and Chronic Conditions, 2023
Source 3: NEJM Catalyst, What is Value-Based Healthcare?, 2017
Lifestyle Factors: Promote programs that encourage lifestyle changes to reduce chronic disease risk.
Source 1: David Baik & Kim Bird, StatPearls, Dietary Lifestyle Changes, 2023
Source 2: AZ Blue Foundation, Chronic Health Conditions, 2024
Coordinated Care: Implement models like Accountable Care Organizations and patient-centered care to improve health outcomes.
Source 1: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Care Management Programs
Source 2: Florida Blue, Provider Programs, Value-Based Alternative Payment Programs
Interdisciplinary Teams: Utilize collaborative teams of health care providers for a comprehensive approach to chronic disease management and treatment.
Source 1: Core Prescribing Solutions, Collaborative Approaches to Chronic Disease Management, 2024
Source 2: Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan, Value Partnerships Spotlight: BMC2 Makes Michigan a Leader in Cardiovascular Care, 2024
Source 3: Blue Cross NC, Nurse Support for Members with Chronic Conditions, 2021
Source 4: Health Care Service Corporation, HCSC Enhances Cancer Care Offering for Members, 2024
Technology: Leverage telehealth platforms, remote patient monitoring, and other technologies to better manage and support patients with chronic diseases.
Source 1: Aspen Rx Health, The Emerging Role of Technology in Chronic Disease Management, 2024
Source 2: Elevance Health, How Digital Technology Can Help People Manage their Chronic Diseases, 2022
Source 3: Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, The Emerging Role of Technology in Chronic Disease Management
Chronic Care Management Programs: Offer disease management programs to assist patients in preventing disease progression with personalized self-management tools, educational materials, and health coaches.
Source 1: Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, Disease Management, 2024
Source 2: Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona, Have a Chronic Condition? Take Advantage of AZ Blue’s Health Management Program, 2024
Source 3: Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Chronic Care Program, 2025
Source 4: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Chronic Condition Support, 2025
Source 5: Independence Blue Cross, Condition Management, 2025
Source 6: Arkansas Blue and Blue Shield, Chronic Condition Management, 2025
Social Determinants of Health: Address social factors and needs by screening for social determinants of health, partnering with community organizations, and providing tailored health education messages.
Source 1: National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, NACDD Policy Agenda 2021, 2021
Source 2: Rural Policy Research Institute: Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis & StratisHealth, Understanding and Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Opportunities to Improve Health Outcomes A Guide for Rural Health Care Leaders, 2022
This infographic was reviewed by Dhruv Khullar, MD, MPP, Weill Cornell Medical College.
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