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S. Christy Shin

Dean Leonard

English 1201

10 April 2022

The Chronic Illness Crisis & How to Face It

In a continuously changing world with shifting objectives, it is critical that some

components, especially human health, stay central. As nearly everything else is

dependent on and intertwines with people's physical capacities, public health is a critical

indicator of a country’s success and, on a grander scheme, its individuals’ well-being.

However, happiness among society's members faces endangerment because of a

plethora of variables ranging through several scopes. Key hazards to public health,

particularly chronic illnesses, are ignored, entitling them to wreak havoc on millions of

lives throughout the world. Although these non-communicable diseases have

unmistakably afflicted people from prehistoric times, they are recently started

developing at an exponential rate as an outcome of the contemporary lifestyle. Similarly,

chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes hold the title as the main

causes of death in the United States, appointing them as major sources of the massive

yearly economic health care expenditures that burden numerous households throughout

the world. Therefore, the chronic illness epidemic ought to be emphasized owing to its

enormous worldwide social and economic effect on numerous dimensions. The impact

of such non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may be measurably decreased via

targeted lifestyle and healthcare system changes, compelling mankind to transition

towards a more sustainable and prolific future.

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Many residents tolerated chronic diseases as normal, inevitable circumstances,

yet this is far from reality. According to a PLoS ONE journal by Lebel, Sophie et al., the

definition of chronic diseases refers to “long-term conditions that develop slowly and

increase in severity over time” and its “treatment is focused primarily on the

management of symptoms.” Symptoms of these non-communicable diseases include

lifelong pain and discomfort in both physical and mental conditions that can not be

permanently cured by medication. Chronic disease can even inhibit the ability to

accomplish simple everyday activities and socialize independently. Along with the major

health repercussions of chronic diseases, the number of deaths due to these incidences

continues to rise. According to Jayathilaka, Ruwan, et al., from “Do Chronic Illnesses

and Poverty Go Hand in Hand?” “two-thirds of deaths that occur in the world today are

because of one or more types of chronic diseases.” This statistic further illuminates the

prevalence of these conditions and the lack of reaction on a global and historical scale.

Throughout history, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer have stayed

relatively stable in the dominance of non-communicable disorders as head symbols of

such diseases. Unlike transmissible illnesses, which may be completely reversed with

focused treatment strategies or medication, acute conditions only can be hindered in the

progression stage by dodging secondary issues from emerging and giving consolation

to the signs that are already present. As a result, it is critical that the beginning of these

diseases be prevented from the start by early identification and intervention. Immediate

response is vital to an individual’s health; however, this can only be possible with an

efficient and proper healthcare system.

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Chronic diseases not only have a huge impact on worldwide health, but also

highlight the importance of these ailments from a social and economic standpoint, as

well as the shortcomings of the US healthcare system. In “Chronic Diseases” by Brenda

Marshall, an examination of the medical system in the United States indicates how

nearly "75 percent of the $1.4 trillion spent” to combat patients with non-communicable

conditions. Considering their rapidly developing position, these chronic illnesses have

far-reaching ramifications and obstructive effects on the lives of nearly everyone in

some way. The incapacity of those in need to receive adequate healthcare services is

one of the primary drivers of the seemingly unstoppable increase of chronic illnesses.

There are not enough physicians or caretakers to treat individuals suffering from these

diseases. According to an analysis executed by cardiologists Dr. Califf and Dr. Warraich

along with social worker Sarah Cross, Americans that lived in rural regions had a” 61

percent” greater likelihood of dying from chronic illnesses compared to those living in

bigger urban locations. The exceptionally huge gap in mortality rates demonstrates the

shortcomings of the present healthcare system, which permits rural regions to be

neglected and leads many illnesses to hold an ampler effect. Warraich, Haider, et al.

support this claim by stating how "134 rural hospitals have closed" in the last 20 years.

However, since 2020, the incidences of rural hospitals closing are increasing due to

Covid-19’s worldwide influence. Healthcare conditions in rural regions are not only

deplorable, but they are worsening due to a lack of money and government assistance

to satisfy patients' demands. To combat chronic illness in the United States, the

government needs to support the healthcare systems of all regions and ensure the

number of physicians available for each region’s individuals to turn to for help. In the
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report "Turn the Page on Chronic Disease," Kenneth Thorpe, an Emory University

health policy professor, declares the possibility of the United States facing a doctor

shortage of 90,000 by 2025. The paucity of physicians, particularly in disadvantaged

areas, makes it considerably more challenging for sick individuals to acquire an

effective remedy that’s specific to their symptoms and circumstances. As populations

age older, the deficit is to further aggravate, and more old groups of individuals

necessitate acute treatment, thus spiraling a difficult case to worsen. The public needs

to be aware of the currently unacceptably state of the healthcare system to call attention

to the lack of access to healthcare as it is a significant contributor to the chronic illness

epidemic and its dominance.

Running hand-in-hand with the insufficiency of healthcare services is the effect of

non-communicable ailments on the economic well-being of individuals. Chronic

conditions escalate out-of-pocket healthcare expenses that often entrap individuals in a

state of poverty around the world. A study from Jayathilaka, Ruwan, et al. notes that

Saudi Arabia, in particular, along with many other nations faces significant challenges

with poverty as many inhabitants suffer from poverty due to chronic disease treatments.

With the economic burden that comes from high-cost healthcare services, individuals

with chronic conditions are limited in financial independence and ability to achieve daily

necessities. This economic issue wreaks havoc in many developed and developing

countries. To solve this socio-economic problem, enforcing “commercial insurance and

community-based mutual services” can relieve the load the general public experiences

worldwide (Jayathilaka, Ruwan, et al.). The government ought to prioritize the

healthcare sector and create a plan so individuals won’t struggle in affording the basic
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necessities to live. Affordable access to healthcare is essential when formulating

strategic healthcare policies for society and its inhabitants, which needs to be

emphasized everywhere because finance influences nearly every aspect of human

existence, from purchasing basic food sources to medical check-ups.

Another key element of the chronic illness pandemic and its growth is the

governments' inability to adopt preventative actions in the face of rising incidences. As

stated by the CDC, although these illnesses exist as "the most common and potentially

preventable for all health problems in the United States," they afflict Americans more

frequently and severely compared to communicable sicknesses (Wexler). Health

professor Emmanuela Gakidou comments how transmissible ailments induce less

sickness, disability, and death compared to the past while the rate of acute disorders

continues to ascend (Kane). Andrea Kane’s claim demonstrates that little governmental

measure is accomplished to resolve this troubling concern, which may be remedied

and/or prevented by merely prioritizing these chronic health issues directly. Interference

from the government would force healthcare systems to be held to a constructive

standard and encourage individuals to seek medical attention before their conditions

become more severe. Furthermore, Andrea Kane specifies how "metabolic risks

accounted for 20% of total health loss worldwide in 2019." Lessening the unacceptable

proportion is achievable by deliberate measures by countries, despite the current

actuality that improving public health does not prose to be a major priority even with the

abundant research on acute illnesses and their increase. When public health becomes

a focus, the ideals regarding general and individual health become more attainable.

Additionally, Warraich, Haider, et al. state how the current “failure[s]” in socioeconomic
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procedures contribute to a multitude of concerns surrounding the chronic disease

dilemma. Although chronic illnesses are broadening their scope and size of their effect,

bigger entities remain clueless about these developments, which must be rectified to

reduce common burdens for the general population. For example, a lack of good policy

leads inexorably to the lack of appropriate healthcare issues that many individuals face

every day, With this evidence, it's appropriate for the government of every nation to help

out its foundation: its people.

The multiplicity of risk variables involved in chronic illness diagnosis is a crucial

component of the whole chronic disease issue. Since many diseases are produced by a

wide range of agents and are relatively common, it is sometimes impossible to pinpoint

a single underlying reason causing the emphasized crisis. However, a few common risk

factors have been found as being associated with the emergence of many chronic

illnesses, notably in the overarching themes of poor diet, insufficient physical exercise,

drug misuse, and deteriorating mental health. People's health suffers as a result of the

increased popularity of fast food in their daily life, since it is known that intaking

high-calorie and deep-fried meals increase the chances of heart disease, obesity,

diabetes, and more (Marshall). According to the present trend, poor nutritional decisions

will only grow, consequently widening the range of chronic diseases due to greater

susceptibility to difficulties. These inclinations need to be recognized by the public to be

controlled and reduced, lowering the possibilities of life-long suffering. Also, the

tendency to an inactive way of life is increasingly being questioned on a functional scale

as the notable cause of acute illnesses, since physical activity is a decisive component

of fitness and the lack of exercise is deleterious. Through regular exercise and physical
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activity, individuals can avoid severe conditions that afflict their physical health.

Furthermore, drug use is another factor that has gone unnoticed in the rise of chronic

diseases. As noted by Andrea Kane in her report "Global Rise in Chronic Diseases

Combined with Covid-19 Bodes Ill for World Health," Dr. Murray conveys that the spike

in drug-induced deaths is inhibiting the gradual upward line of life expectancy. With

abundant research and evidence, It has been demonstrated that the growth in chronic

diseases has been linked to the increase in alcohol and drug usage, which is

obstructing the continuous rise in life expectancy. Similarly, mental health has a

strikingly massive influence on the progression of these chronic health complications.

Lebel, Sophie, et al. highlights that the majority of individuals in these circumstances are

forced to “cope with the persistence and the unpredictability of their illness.” Chronic

diseases can interfere with the ability of some to interact socially, causing more

psychological concerns. As many disclose feeling uneasy about their conditions and

their symptoms, they often fall into a loop called health anxiety (HA) and suffer from

mental health disorders, including depression. Moreover, in the current period that is

affected by Covid-19, non-communicable disease patients experience more anxiety

than before due to social isolation. Considering the rapidly deteriorating psychological

issues, seclusion from society is a significant impediment to general well-being, allowing

a larger risk of acute illness. Evidence shows how men's and women's lifestyles are

possibly the most important predictors of chronic illness development.

Additionally, particular lifestyle modifications might mitigate the causes of the

chronic illness epidemic by significantly lowering the risk from getting diagnosed with a

chronic disease. Modifications in lifestyle, specifically improved eating and frequent

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exercise, will prevent individuals from the numerous threats connected to chronic

illnesses. Furthermore, a person's general condition will improve from choosing

healthier options. Considering this, there will be less need to seek out treatment that

may not always be accessible. Chronic illnesses would become a less urgent concern

for the majority of the globe if these recommended reforms were implemented,

especially if governments focused on adopting efforts to encourage citizens to take

preemptive measures. One effective approach to do this is by the help of stimuli, like tax

subsidies for something as simple as joining a fitness center (Thorpe). Governments

can help make people healthier and less prone to chronic diseases by rewarding

positive lifestyle choices. Another less obvious way to improve health and happiness is

to develop an interconnected support network that maintains and maximizes

involvement. Krisberg comments how speaking to health specialists is the first step in

making improvements that are tailored to each person and how community senior

centers are ideal for preventing societal distancing and finding one’s own community

“reducing social isolation and building a community." Taking peer advice and

establishing non-communicable illness prevention as a collaborative endeavor makes

revising one's lifestyle far more achievable. According to Marshall, the best approach to

reducing chronic ailments is "removing the toxins negatively affecting the body;" thus,

engaging in habits such as exercising more frequently and monitoring food consumption

would sufficiently create barriers to a large percentage of these toxicants and avoid the

development of these circumstances. Incorporating healthy behaviors into everyday life

clearly has the tremendous power to minimize chronic illness dominance in people's

lives and the world.

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Although chronic diseases interfere with modern-day life and have a significant

negative social impact, preventative lifestyle modifications can substantially reduce the

occurrence and severity of these disorders. Improved diet, physical exercise, and social

involvement, in particular, give the strongest effect on individual health, which in turn

counters the whole situation. With a healthier population, governments would confront

fewer stresses and expectations which would no longer have to be addressed through

policy changes, and the inadequacies in the healthcare system would be far less

prominent. As a result, a greater focus must be made on incorporating important

practices into one's daily schedule to ensure a better life free of the burdens of continual

health impairments. Chronic illnesses will continue to inflict an increasing amount of

individuals if adequate measures are not taken and disregarded. The traditional way of

human life will eventually transform for the worse as an outcome of the implications of

chronic illnesses. Moreover, when these circumstances gain greater dominance, new

harmful scenarios may emerge, increasingly harming society with rising mortality. If the

chronic illness epidemic is ignored any longer, mankind will suffer severe consequences

in the end.
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References

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current outbreak of COVID-19 in immunocompromised and chronic disease

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Jayathilaka, Ruwan, et al. "Chronic diseases: An added burden to income and

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