About The PFCD
The Problem: Preventable and Mismanaged Chronic Disease
Chronic diseases, such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and account for the vast majority of health care spending. They affect the quality of life for 133 million Americans and are responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in the U.S. -- killing more than 1.7 million Americans every year.
Chronic diseases are also the primary driver of health care costs – accounting for more than 75 cents of every dollar we spend on health care in this country, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In 2005, this amounted to $1.5 trillion of the $2 trillion spent on health care.
Despite these widespread problems, the issue of chronic disease does not register with large segments of the public and policymakers as an issue of primary concern. Download the chronic disease fact sheet »
The Solution: A National Partnership Aimed at Fighting Disease
As the CDC has said, “The United States cannot effectively address escalating health care costs without addressing the problem of chronic diseases.” Any serious policy proposal that aims to improve health care in America and control rising health care expenditures must address chronic disease.
That’s why a broad group of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts has joined together to form the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) -- a national coalition of more than 85 patient, provider, and community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs in the U.S.: rising rates of preventable and treatable chronic diseases.
The PFCD Mission
The PFCD believes that rising rates of chronic health problems pose a significant and unsustainable burden on the U.S. health care system, and that the viability and strength of the system—presently and in the future—relies on a willingness to enact policies that help Americans better prevent and manage chronic illnesses.
As a result, the mission of the PFCD is to:
- Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals and communities
- Mobilize Americans to call for change in how governments, employers, and health institutions approach chronic disease
- Challenge policymakers on the health policy changes that are necessary to effectively fight chronic disease
Download the PFCD overview »
Download frequently asked questions about the PFCD »
Policy Agenda
PFCD offers a united voice that injects patient-focused policies and practices into the national dialogue on important health care issues and works to:
- Advance sustainable “Next Generation” chronic disease prevention, early intervention, and management models throughout the health care system and public health infrastructure
- Promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention and management in every community
- Encourage and reward continuous advances in clinical practice and research that improve the quality of care for those with prevalent and costly chronic diseases
- Accelerate improvements in the quality and availability of health information technology (HIT) throughout the health care system
- Reduce health disparities by focusing on barriers to good health
Read more about the PFCD policy platform »
Advisory Board
The PFCD Advisory Board is comprised of high-profile leaders from the public and private sector and is led by Ken Thorpe, PFCD Executive Director and Professor and Chair at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, and Mark McClellan, Director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at The Brookings Institution and former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Richard H. Carmona, M.D, M.P.H., FACS, 17th US Surgeon General (2002-2006) and President of Canyon Ranch Institute, serves as the national Chairperson of the PFCD. Read more about our advisory board »
Download Dr. Thorpe's biography»
Download Dr. Carmona's biography»
Download Dr. McClellan's biography»
Partners
The PFCD is a national coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups and health policy experts, committed to raising awareness of policies and practices that save lives and reduce health costs through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease. More than 85 leading organizations from across the nation have joined the PFCD since its launch in May. Read more about our partners »
To join the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, or to receive more information about joining, please email Beth Roberts at broberts@fightchronicdisease.org
