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Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Critical Focus of Healthcare Reform

December 18, 2013

More than one in four Americans have multiple chronic conditions (MCC). Closing out 2013 with a webinar update on multiple chronic conditions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Initiative on Multiple Chronic Conditions convened a discussion on new programs and refreshed a strong commitment to the 2010 Strategic Framework, a roadmap for bringing together HHS programs and policies as well as bridging public and private partnerships to effectively address the increasing burden of multiple chronic conditions.

Implementation Actions by HHS Agencies in 2013 make it clear that the focus on multiple conditions is an important effort for prevention, better management and cost control throughout our U.S. healthcare system. Continued implementation of the Framework is driven by four major goals:

  1. Strengthening the healthcare and public health systems.
  2. Empowering the individual to use self-care management.
  3. Equipping healthcare providers with tools, information, and other interventions.
  4. Supporting targeted research about individuals with MCC and effective interventions.

Aimed at fostering positive change, HHS is working hard to accelerate progress towards true patient-centered care. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) applauds HHS’s continued implementation of the framework and its support for patients, caregivers and providers. Noting the important work being done by PFCD and groups like ours in the Huffington Post, Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health at HHS, and Dr. Anand Parekh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Science & Medicine) at HHS, highlighted the many HHS efforts and some of the top priorities and programs focused on better caring for people struggling with multiple chronic conditions. The PFCD is an active supporter of these goals and will continue to advance dialogue and encourage action on relevant issues like those pertaining to PCORI research, supporting caregivers, health IT, and eliminating health disparities, to name a few.

To request more information or a copy of the presentation materials from HHS’s webinar, please contact mcc@hhs.gov.