Chronic Diseases and Conditions

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New Clinical Outcome Assessments Could Improve Treatment for Parkinson's

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease has doubled over the last 25 years, and over 8.5 million people are living with the disease worldwide, but treatment options are limited. The development of new clinical outcome assessments could lead to new treatments for the disease.

Claire E. O'Hanlon, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer, et al.

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A Good Night's Sleep, What's It Worth to You?

Most people in the developed world would fork over serious bucks—14 percent of their paycheck—to avoid the health-threatening, productivity-sapping effects of insomnia. When it comes to sleep, quality and quantity should be parallel goals. And the benefit of achieving them could be priceless.

Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel, Robert J. Romanelli

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The Informal Carers Who Help People with MS Need Support More Than Ever

The trend within health care services toward remote care and self-management for people with multiple sclerosis has not included adequate support to carers. Greater investment to support the needs of carers could support the informal care they provide, as well as the carer as an individual.

Daniela Rodriguez-Rincon, Brandi Leach

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Anticipating Harvey's Toll on Health and Health Care

After Hurricane Harvey, challenges to the health of affected communities and the health care systems that serve them are expected to grow. Among the problems are closures of hospitals, pharmacies, and dialysis centers. Lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy could help relief efforts.

Mahshid Abir, Richard Serino

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Chronic Conditions in America: Price and Prevalence

Sixty percent of U.S. adults have at least one chronic condition, and 12 percent have five or more. They account for hundreds of billions of dollars in health care spending every year.

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Can a Continuous Coverage Requirement Produce a Healthy Insurance Market?

A continuous coverage requirement is intended to discourage individuals from waiting until they become sick to purchase insurance. Such a requirement works well in theory to maintain a healthy marketplace, but there is little evidence on how well it might work in practice.

Erin Lindsey Duffy, Michael Dworsky, et al.

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Junk Food: Why People Can't Control Themselves and What to Do About It

Americans consumed far less junk when it wasn't so widespread. Consumption accelerated when marketers discovered they could stimulate 'impulse buys.'

Deborah A. Cohen

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Claims of Wellness Cost Savings Are Overblown

Workplace wellness has become a $6 billion industry in the United States. Employers hope wellness programs can help control health care costs, but they are having little if any effect on costs. Companies seeking a healthy ROI should target higher-risk employees.

Soeren Mattke

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More Long-Term Health Conditions, Poorer Health Care Experiences

Patients with multiple long-term health conditions are more likely to report poorer experiences in primary care than those with fewer health problems. A patient-centered model that takes into account the severity of disease — and the impact of combinations of diseases, on patient quality of life and health care experiences — could make a difference.

Catherine L. Saunders, Charlotte Paddison

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Food Providers: Regulators Should Insist They 'First, Do No Harm'

Everyone needs food, water, and shelter, yet society offers protective standards and regulations for just two of these three essentials. Food regulations focus on preventing illnesses like botulism, but when it comes to chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes, regulations offer little protection to U.S. consumers.

Deborah A. Cohen

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Supermarkets Are the Problem

Thirty percent of all supermarket sales can be attributed to end-of-aisle displays, where retailers have placed more foods that increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases. Relocating those foods to less conspicuous places would still allow those who want them to get them, but the decision to buy would be deliberate rather than impulsive.

Deborah A. Cohen

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What Drives the Market for Orphan Drugs?

The 1983 Orphan Drug Act appears to be successful in promoting development of new treatments for relatively rare conditions. But an unintended consequence of its success is the high cost of specialty drugs.

Susan M. Gates

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Restaurant Standards Could Curb Fat America

Given the high prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases and their enormous societal burden, every restaurant, including fast food outlets, should offer healthier meal options and discourage over-consumption.

Deborah A. Cohen

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The FDA Ban on Trans Fat Should Be Just the Beginning

Most people lack the information they need to judge or track the quantity and quality of the nutrients they consume. The FDA should take a disease prevention approach — as it is currently doing with trans fat — in promoting standards that address how all foods are prepared and served away from home.

Deborah A. Cohen

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Can the Affordable Care Act Help Asthma Sufferers Breathe Easier?

ACA reforms can potentially address barriers that get in the way of individuals with asthma getting the care they need. At the population level, the law has the potential to improve outcomes and efficiency and equity of services for chronic conditions such as asthma for which cost-effective preventive treatments exist.

Marielena Lara

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What's in a Name? Calling Obesity a Disease Could Help Improve Chronic Disease Outcomes

The American Medical Association officially designated obesity as a disease, hoping to help change the way doctors approach the issue with their patients, increase funding for research on effective treatments, spur insurers to cover prescription weight loss medications, and maybe even help de-stigmatize the condition.

Sydne J. Newberry