Chronic conditions add hundreds of billions of dollars to healthcare costs.
Most people are aware that healthcare costs are spiraling out of control. Some may not be aware of the role that chronic diseases play in this problem. The American Heart Association recently released their latest statistics about the cost of heart disease and strokes in the U.S. They report that these diseases cost more than $350 billion per year, and that number is forecast to rise.
The report also shows that our population has made some gains towards being healthier, including non-smoking and lower blood pressure. However, the scores for diabetes and being overweight are worse than before. These are important precursors for heart disease and stroke.
Health technology devices can help individuals track their weight, blood pressure, and other factors. Fitness bands and other wearables can monitor activity levels to improve heart health and overall fitness. Much of that $350 billion per year could be eliminated if people took better care of themselves, and that money could then be put to other uses.