Multiple Chronic Conditions - Women

Multiple Chronic Conditions - Women in United States

United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines chronic conditions as any condition that lasts more than a year and has one or both of the following characteristics: requires ongoing medical attention and/or results in limitations of daily living. Chronic health conditions include physical and mental illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression. Adults with multiple chronic conditions represent one of the highest-need segments of the population, as each of their chronic conditions is likely to require additional medication and monitoring.

People with one or more chronic health conditions are at increased risk of poor health outcomes, including: 

• Unnecessary hospitalizations.
• Adverse drug events.
• Depression.

The economic burden of multiple chronic conditions is substantial. In the United States, the average spending on health care is 14 times higher among those with five or more chronic conditions compared with those without any chronic condition.

Many chronic conditions share similar risk factors, including smoking, excessive alcohol use and physical inactivity. 

The prevalence of having three or more chronic health conditions is higher among:

• Women ages 35-44 compared with women ages 18-34.
• American Indian/Alaska Native and multiracial women compared with Asian, Hispanic, Black and white women.
• Women with less than a high school education compared with those with a high school degree or GED diploma and college graduates.
• Women with an annual household income below $25,000 compared with those with higher levels of income.
• Women living in non-metropolitan areas, compared with those in metropolitan areas.

There are several behavioral changes individuals can take to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, including not smoking, eating healthy, exercising regularly, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, staying up-to-date on health screenings, getting enough sleep and knowing their family health history. These lifestyle modifications can also help individuals manage existing chronic conditions. Chronic disease management programs and self-management education programs teach individuals how to live with one or more chronic conditions.

Practicing person-centered care is particularly important for people living with multiple chronic conditions. Patient-centered care is rooted in addressing the needs of the whole person by creating treatment plans that consider and care for all aspects of a person over a specific condition or disease.  

Healthy People 2030 has several objectives related to specific health conditions, including cancer, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Bierman, Arlene S., Jing Wang, Patrick G. O’Malley, and Dina K. Moss. 2021. “Transforming Care for People with Multiple Chronic Conditions: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Research Agenda.” Health Services Research 56 (S1): 973–79. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13863.

Buttorff, Christine, Teague Ruder, and Melissa Bauman. 2017. “Multiple Chronic Conditions in the United States.” TL221. Tools. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. https://doi.org/10.7249/TL221.

“Multiple Chronic Conditions—A Strategic Framework: Optimum Health and Quality of Life for Individuals with Multiple Chronic Conditions.” 2010. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ash/initiatives/mcc/mcc_framework.pdf.

Vogeli, Christine, Alexandra E. Shields, Todd A. Lee, Teresa B. Gibson, William D. Marder, Kevin B. Weiss, and David Blumenthal. 2007. “Multiple Chronic Conditions: Prevalence, Health Consequences, and Implications for Quality, Care Management, and Costs.” Journal of General Internal Medicine 22 (S3): 391–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0322-1.

Wilkins, Kathryn, and Evelyn Park. 1996. “Chronic Conditions, Physical Limitations and Dependency among Seniors Living in the Community.” Health Reports 8 (3): 7–15.

Wolff, Jennifer L., Barbara Starfield, and Gerard Anderson. 2002. “Prevalence, Expenditures, and Complications of Multiple Chronic Conditions in the Elderly.” Archives of Internal Medicine 162 (20): 2269–76. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.162.20.2269.