Increasing pressure on health systems
Abstract
Chronic diseases have been driving a lot of pressure on healthcare systems, and this issue
needs confronting. Their prevalence has been driving the most significant share of disabilities
and mortality worldwide. The burden is spiraling upwards since most of the ailments are inclined
on low income and minority populations. Effective long-term management of chronic diseases
remains a significant challenge in the global health sector. Some of the chronic diseases in the
subject include stroke, diabetes, arthritis, heart ailments and cancer, among others. Increase in
populations, rising global pandemics, economic changes, among other factors, has contributed to
the ever-increasing pressure on the health care system regarding chronic ailments. Increased
pressure on health systems due to chronic illnesses ought to be addressed via promotion and
funding of research, affordable healthcare and high-efficiency health workforce.
CHRONIC DISEASES INCREASING PRESSURE ON HEALTH SYSTEMS 3
Economic and health implication of chronic diseases
Over 70% of most nation’s annual expenditure caters for health (McPhail, 2016). A
significant percentage of this expenditure portion is channeled towards treatment, management
and research of chronic diseases. For instance, in America, more than 800,000 patients succumb
to heart conditions and stroke, which translates to one-third of all deaths (McPhail, 2016). These
ailments tax the healthcare system almost to its knees where billions are used. It has been found
that nearly 21% of the nation’s gross domestic product is used to cover chronic diseases costs
(Haun et al., 2015). Research suggests that back in 2005, 140 million Americans were living
with at least one chronic malady. Fast forward to 2020, and this number is expected to double
where most individuals will have multiple chronic ailments driven by lifestyle factors, age and
poverty, among other factors.
The cost perspective
Due to the booming prevalence of chronic maladies globally, health care costs are
increasing dramatically. For instance, a patient with one chronic disease sees an average of five
physicians a year, while those with multiple ailments can do with twelve different medics in the
same period. Those with various conditions accounted for over 75% of Medicare and insurance
expenditures. The populace above eighty years constitutes the highest proportion of individuals
suffering from these diseases. Their number shave been projected to increase from six million to
twenty-two million by 2030 (Prince et al., 2015), driving health costs up. Most health systems
are inclined towards treating these ailments rather than preventing them, which adds on to the
price. Policies also play a role in increasing the pressure since most have not been reviewed in a
while hence affecting decision making and resource allocation in dealing with the ailments.
CHRONIC DISEASES INCREASING PRESSURE ON HEALTH SYSTEMS 4
Prevalence and risk factors on the rise. The risk factors drive the prevalence of most
chronic diseases. For instance, there has been a tremendous population increase in middle-class
income earners. These individuals have adopted a sedentary lifestyle which negatively impacts
their health. This leads to obesity and other lifestyle diseases which shorten one’s lifespan.
Consumption of alcohol, unhealthy foods and smoking are among the well-known trifecta
increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Age also has its place when it comes to predisposing
one to chronic ailments. The age structure is changing at an alarming rate (Wallace et al., 2015).
In most nations, the ageing population constitutes a large proportion of the people.
The projected population growth of people aged sixty-five years and above is expected to
double by 2030 to over 30%. As one age, the likelihood of developing a chronic and disabling
condition rises exponentially due to the progressive accretion of exposure to risk factors over a
lifetime. Studies show that most senile individuals suffer from multiple chronic conditions
(Prince et al., 2015). They are usually prescribed different medications which can lead to other
complications and contraindications.
Poverty, on the other hand, has a role to play in increasing the pressure on health systems.
Some of the patients might not afford the medication or consultation visits to the physician.
Hence the government has to make some sacrifices to accommodate them into the system.
Studies also suggest that healthcare institutions close to poor populaces tend to be saturated and
pushed to the limits resource-wise.
Health care systems approach to combat the conditions, policies and research In this
context, specific policy and societal issues come into play. For greater emphasis, policies can be
addressed via questions such as can public health prevention slow down the conditions’
prevalence? Should chronic ailments care be delivered by multidisciplinary workforce teams or
CHRONIC DISEASES INCREASING PRESSURE ON HEALTH SYSTEMS 5
dedicated physicians? Is the health personnel workforce optimally positioned to handle future
chronic ailments while providing the best of care? Should there be a sound funding framework to
cater for the needs of the poor and senile patients who form a large portion of the populace? To
flatten the curve of the chronic condition should prevention be emphasized more than treatment?
Most health systems adopt a treatment model to deal with these diseases.
This means there exists minimal public health promotion and education regarding risk
factors and prevalence (Haun et al., 2015). This, in turn, translates to an upward trajectory of
chronic maladies in the population. Sound public health measures are adopted can help slow
down the menace. For instance, a comprehensive package of processed and fast foods awareness
and tobacco control could help reduce the consumption of these products by a significant
percentage. Epidemiologic research has achieved to avail data linking various risk factors to
chronic diseases (Harris, 2019), but this information is only available to the professionals hence
poor dissemination. Public health education is crucial to all the stakeholders in the healthcare
sector, including the patients (Haun et al., 2015).
Conclusion. Hopeful signs are evident in the fight against chronic ailments. Increasing
awareness of their growing toll on the economy and health systems will help reinvigorate the call
to focus on prevention and public health promotion. Battling the conditions before they occur
may prove an effective strategy as information from the research will be available and plentiful.
Policy reforms in the health sector are also needed, which will place greater emphasis on
prevention and patient-centric care, reducing the burden on health care systems. International and
social collaborations will help reduce the intensifying pressures on the health care systems where
a patient can access treatment in another country or city. This will serve to realize cost and
service efficiencies.
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References
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McPhail, S. M. (2016). Multimorbidity in chronic disease: impact on health care resources and
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Prince, M. J., Wu, F., Guo, Y., Robledo, L. M. G., O'Donnell, M., Sullivan, R., & Yusuf, S.
(2015). The burden of disease in older people and implications for health policy and
practice. The Lancet, 385(9967), 549-562.
Wallace, E., Salisbury, C., Guthrie, B., Lewis, C., Fahey, T., & Smith, S. M. (2015). Managing
patients with multimorbidity in primary care. Bmj, 350, h176.
