Baltimore, Maryland – Chronic diseases shorten life expectancy dramatically, researchers report.
Chronic Diseases as Norms
Research showed that people who are struggling with chronic illnesses have a shorter lifespan than the average. The findings had been more evident among elderly Americans. The explanation behind this is that four out of five elderly now live with multiple chronic diseases. Eva H. DuGoff, the lead author of the research said that living with multiple chronic ailments have become the norm in the United States, no longer the exception. DuGoff is a graduate of Bloomberg School of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University. Chronic diseases include diabetes, kidney and heart ailments. Urgent care clinics can help people struggling with such diseases, but are not capable of delaying the shorten life expectancy caused by chronic conditions.
Preventing the Development of Chronic Conditions
Chronic diseases are growing problems in the local and international sectors. Although medical advancements are available to help people live longer, these are not sufficient to keep up with the increasing burdens. The only way to improve the life expectancy is to prevent the development of chronic conditions, DuGoff said. An urgent care clinic may help in providing preventive measures. In the US, life expectancy is growing slower compared to other parts of the world. This issue needs an urgent care, considering the worsening health conditions of the American population.
Research Findings
The research involved Medicare beneficiaries who were enrolled since January 2008. The records included about 1.4 million people who are 67 years of age and older. The data also included 21 distinct chronic conditions. Findings claimed that 75-years-old women without chronic diseases will live an additional 17.3 years or until they are 95. However, women with five chronic illnesses may reach the age of 87, while those with ten ailments will survive only at 80. The findings also showed that women survive longer than men, as well as white people than black. Other chronic diseases that can shorten life expectancy include heart diseases and Alzheimer’s disease.
Useful for Policymakers and Health Care Planners
Gerard F. Anderson, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University, said that the research findings will be useful for both policymakers and health care planners. Managing chronic conditions is complicated and experts should provide an urgent care near me service to those struggling with such ailments. Policymakers should implement better regulations since the number of people with multiple ailments has increased. On the other hand, health care experts such as physicians can prescribe more and better medications. Diseases that may shorten life expectancy can be addressed through joint efforts of varied agencies.
