WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Family Medicine for America’s Health today released survey results revealing that many Americans living with chronic diseases are not getting what they need to manage their health. According to the survey of 400 adults with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity, 72 percent are not receiving the tools and support to live a healthy lifestyle, 44 percent are not getting the support and advice about their medications, and 35 percent are not receiving the information to help manage their condition.
“We can’t solve our nation’s health care crisis if we can’t do a better job preventing and managing chronic disease. A strong primary care foundation is a big part of the solution,” said Glen Stream, MD, President and Board Chair, Family Medicine for America’s Health board of directors. “Strong primary care can help prevent chronic disease and, for the patients that have chronic illness, it can provide the advice, skills and support patients need to improve their quality of life.”
Survey Highlights:
- Most (72%) of the respondents are not receiving the tools and support they need to live a healthy lifestyle. This includes 67 percent of those living with Type 2 diabetes, 74 percent with high blood pressure and 70 percent with obesity.
- One third (35%) of the respondents are not receiving information about managing their chronic diseases. By disease this includes 30 percent with Type 2 diabetes, 31 percent with high blood pressure and 39 percent with obesity.
- Four in ten (44%) respondents are not receiving support and advice about their medications. This includes 39 percent for those with Type 2 diabetes, 43 percent with high blood pressure and 45 percent with obesity.
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.1 A significant portion of sickness and death associated with chronic disease can be attributed to four unhealthy behaviors: lack of exercise, poor nutrition, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.1 As a result, through the Health is Primary campaign, America’s family physicians are working to build a strong primary care foundation in this country.
The campaign is also making new resources available to help patients better manage their health.
New chronic disease management patient resources:
- Focus on hypertension: (English) (Spanish)
- Focus on diabetes: (English) (Spanish)
- Focus on heart disease: (English) (Spanish)
“Primary care practices around the country are innovating to better prevent and manage chronic disease,” said Stream. “This means expanded care teams that include professionals who advise patients on medications and care managers who work with patients on a day-to-day basis to help them build the skills and confidence to manage their disease. Family medicine has always put the patient first and our partnership with our patients can help make a big difference in managing chronic diseases. We need coordinated, comprehensive, continuous care to address chronic disease – and primary care can provide it.”
About Family Medicine for America’s Health
Family Medicine for America’s Health, the organization behind Health is Primary, is a new collaboration between the nation’s eight leading family medicine organizations to drive continued improvement of the U.S. health care system and demonstrate the value of true primary care. We represent:
- American Academy of Family Physicians;
- American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation;
- American Board of Family Medicine;
- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians;
- Association of Departments of Family Medicine;
- Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors;
- North American Primary Care Research Group; and
- Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.
About the survey
This Family Medicine for America’s Health Chronic Disease Management Study was conducted April 17 – 22, 2015 among 400 adults (aged 18 and over) with a chronic condition living in the United States. This study interviewed people living with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. Three in five survey respondents (61%) suffer from multiple conditions. This online survey was sponsored by Family Medicine for America’s Health as part of its Health is Primary campaign.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in an opt-in survey panel. The data have been weighted to reflect the known demographic composition of adults living with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity in the United States.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. May 9, 2014. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/.
