In its groundbreaking study, “An Unhealthy America: The Economic Impact of Chronic Disease,” the Milken Institute details the enormous financial impact of chronic disease on the U.S. economy – not only in treatment costs, but lost worker productivity – today and in the decades ahead. It also describes the huge savings if a serious effort were made to improve Americans’ health. Click on any of the links on this page to view the data by that category.
» View Full Report» View Executive Summary/Research Findings
United States
Over 162 million cases of seven common chronic diseases — cancers, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, mental
disorders, and pulmonary conditions — were reported in The United States in 2003. These conditions shorten lives, reduce
quality of life, and create considerable burden for caregivers. The following map shows how states compare based on the
prevalence of the seven common chronic diseases.
Reported Cases of Common Chronic Diseases 2003 Millions (As percent of population)
Cancers: 10.6 (3.6%)
Diabetes: 13.7 (4.7%)
Heart Disease: 19.1 (6.6%)
Hypertension: 36.8 (12.6%)
Stroke: 2.4 (0.8%)
Mental Disorders: 30.3 (10.4%)
Pulmonary Conditions: 49.2 (16.9%)
Total Reported Cases: 162.2 (55.8%)
United States Economic Impact 2003 (Annual Costs in billions)
Treatment Expenditures: $277.0B
Lost Productivity: $1,046.7B
Total Costs: $1,323.7B
Milken Institute Chronic Disease Index
FusionMaps.
Projected Annual Costs 2023
Current Course
Alternative Future
Costs Avoided
Treatment Expenditures
$790.1B
$572.4B
$217.6B (27.6%)
Lost Productivity
$3,363.0B
$2,458.0B
$905.1B (26.9%)
Total
$4,130.0B
$2,996.7B
$1,133.3B (27.4%)
FusionCharts.
Real GDP in 2050 (In billions, 2003 dollars)
Current Course: $32,229.2B
Alternative Future: $37,897.5B
Potential Gain in GDP: $5,668.4B (17.6%)
Milken Institute analysis based on MEPS, NHIS, etc.
For more information refer to full report “An Unhealthy America: Economic Burden of Chronic Disease” or visit www.milkeninstitute.org
