Chronic Disease

Chronic disease is a huge problem in this country as well as overseas. It affects individuals, families, society, and even the government. It’s a national problem that is commonly referenced as many know at least one other individual suffering from a chronic illness. Some examples include chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, HIV, cancer, and even obesity. While in many cases these illnesses can be managed, most of them can be better understood and prevented, which is of course the main goal of public health.

Chronic disease doesn’t just take its toll on an individual’s body. Families are faced with many emotional and financial struggles while dealing with loved ones who suffer from chronic illness. Stress, money, and time are often brought up when the discussion surrounds chronic illness. Unsurprisingly, family members worry about one another. In addition, funds are required to afford the care needed to monitor and maintain these conditions. Also, time is often required to make lifestyle changes and visit various specialists. Being diagnosed is only the beginning. Living with a chronic condition typically affects those who surround the individual as accommodations need to be made in several different areas.

Looking into families is a more personal look into how chronic illness affects those who live with a diagnosed individual; however society is also affected. For example, schools must make special accommodations for those living with a chronic illness. Let’s take a close look at obesity. There are millions of Americans suffering from obesity, many of them being children. This limits their ability to fit into certain desks, keep up during certain physical activities, etc. As a personal example, my neighbor’s son is in my daughter’s third grade class. While they’re the same age, my neighbor’s child is severely obese. While visiting my daughter’s class during American Education Week, I quickly noticed the accommodations made for him. For example, his seating was higher, and he was allowed to sit at one of the tables as opposed to the smaller desks. During carpet time, for his comfort, he was not required to sit on the floor as he often complained. Many times, the students were forced to wait for him to finish his turns during gym class as he took much longer to run. To a class of 25 third graders, it could easily seem as though he’s receiving quite a bit of special attention, but the school is required to be fair and to ensure that all students learn. He requires a lot more than the average student which can affect his class. On the flip side, as an observing adult, I felt hurt for him as obesity clearly has a negative impact on his social life. While I won’t pretend as if no one spoke to him, I did notice a lack of enthusiasm in the students who had him as a gym partner. This must affect his confidence which could easily hurt his social life. This is an issue we as parents and public health professionals must address, even in such young children as eating and being active play such huge roles.

Chronic disease also affects finances, both at the personal level and the government level. When American families were questioned about the toll chronic disease has taken on their finances, their answers revealed its true impact. According to Golics, Basra, Salek, & Finlay (2016), 51% of the families reported that the financial impact of chronic disease is great as they’re forced to spend money on mobility aids, clothes, transportation, insurance, private health care, and many even reported having to give up work due to their illness, creating an even greater financial burden. This problem is not simply one Americans face. Chronic illness impacts the finances of those overseas as well. When research took place in Nigeria, a clearer picture was painted as to how chronic illness affects finances and the positions it forces the ill into due to lack of money. “Facing potentially high health care costs and poor accessibility of health care facilities, many individuals suffering from NCCDs (Non-Communicable Chronic diseases)—particularly women and the poor—forego formal care, thereby increasing the risk of more severe illness in the future.” (Janssens, Goedecke, Bree, Aderibigbe, Akande, & Mesnad, 2016). Financial problems don’t end there, either. Families in America and overseas are not the only ones struggling to budget for chronic diseases. The government is pressured