The America’s Health Rankings 2023 Annual Report by the United Health Foundation has highlighted a rise in the prevalence of eight chronic health conditions in the United States, encompassing depression, asthma, cancer, and others.
Since the report’s tracking began in 1990, the prevalence of the following has peaked:
- Depression
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cancer
Dr. Rhonda Randall, EVP of United Healthcare emphasized the urgent need for intervention by stating that the country needs to address this matter on the highest priority. She urged a thorough examination of the report’s data to tailor public health interventions effectively, emphasizing the importance of sharing these findings to initiate dialogues and devise solutions for the nation’s pressing public health challenges.
The extensive report, created in partnership with the American Public Health Association (APHA), looked at 28 data sources and 87 health measures. In 2022, over 29 million adults in the US claimed to have three or more incurable illnesses. Six of the top ten leading causes of death before the age of 75 are related to incurable illnesses, leading to the all-time highest premature death rate.
While some improvements were noted, such as an increased supply of mental health providers, the report highlighted a rise in frequent mental distress. The rate of occupational deaths and unemployment fell, per capita income rose, the percentage of people without insurance rose, and the availability of dentists improved. However, the prevalence of avoiding care due to higher costs increased, and the supply of primary care providers showed a decrease.
The prevalence of diabetes surged to 11.5% of US adults, affecting around 31.9 million individuals, while depression grew by 21.7%, impacting approximately 54.2 million US adults. Adults who identified as LGBTQ+ experienced a depression rate that was 2.4 times higher than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. The study highlighted the differences in population patterns, showing that the prevalence of COPD was 7.1 times greater in American Indian/Alaska Natives than in Asians and that the cancer rate was 3.9 times higher in Whites than in Asians.
A1c testing revealed even more differences in the management of diabetes: Black adults were 1.8 times more likely than White adults to have uncontrolled blood sugar, and Hispanic adults were 2.1 times more likely. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of health-related variables returned to their pre-2020 levels. Adults who drink excessively now make up 18.4% of the population, up from 17.3% in 2018, 10.9% in 2019 and 12.4% in 2019. Suicide rates also increased, going from 14.0 to 14.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019.
Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of APHA, acknowledged the growing challenge of managing multiple chronic conditions post-diagnosis. He thanked the United Health Foundation for the report, viewing it as a call to action to address these conditions urgently.
