As the single biggest health threat today, chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. They also are the leading drivers of increasing the nation’s health care costs $3.8 trillion annually. The most prevalent chronic conditions reported are hypertension, high cholesterol, and arthritis, with adults aged 65 and older accounting for the plurality of patients.

In the U.S. about 85% of have one chronic condition, and 60% have two or more.

Evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) Programs offer cost-effective interventions using state-of-the-art techniques to empower those with chronic conditions to take responsibility in managing their conditions, improving their health status, and reducing continued medical care and costly services. These programs, originally developed at Stanford University, have demonstrated improvement in health, self-efficacy, and psychological well-being.

Restore CDSME Funding to $16 Million

That's why NCOA is urging Congress to restore funding to $16 million for CDSME programs in FY21 in the issue brief below. Given that CDSME has lacked new investments for several years, NCOA is requesting that appropriators consider restoring CDSME funding to $16 million to expand access to evidence-based, cost-effective chronic disease self-management education programs to more older adults across the U.S.