Dear Colleagues,

Chronic diseases are defined by the World Health Organization as requiring “ongoing management over a period of years or decades” (WHO, 2002). The increasing burden of these conditions is one of the greatest challenges confronting health systems globally, representing a major cause of premature mortality and having a significant impact on life expectancy and healthy life expectancy. They have a deleterious effect on the quality of life and are leading drivers of healthcare costs, accounting for significant proportions of healthcare expenditure. In the US, 60% of adults have one chronic condition, with 40% having more than one (CDC, 2020). Many chronic conditions have their origin in risky behavior, such as tobacco use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol use. The effective management of chronic conditions requires the development of complex systems that span a host of multidisciplinary perspectives and organizational settings, plus having to confront the entrenched cognitive and financial barriers that hinder co-operation and collaboration (Suhrcke, Fahey, and McKee (2008)). The prevention of chronic conditions therefore has major health and economic benefits but challenging logistical obstacles to overcome.

Papers addressing evaluations of public health interventions are therefore invited for this Special Issue, especially those combining a high academic standard coupled with a focus on methodological and contextual challenges encountered.

References

• World Health Organization (2002). Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions: Building Blocks for Action. Geneva: World Health Organization.
• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2020). About Chronic Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm#:~:text=Chronic%20diseases%20are%20defined%20broadly,disability%20in%20the%20United%20States. (accessed December 2020)
• Suhrcke M, Fahey DK and McKee M (2008) Economic aspects of chronic disease and chronic disease management in Nolte E and McKee M (eds) “Caring for People with Chronic Conditions: a health system perspective.” Maidenhead: Open University Press, McGraw-Hill.

Prof. Dr. Ceri Phillips
Guest Editor

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• economic evaluation
• cost-effectiveness
• public health
• chronic conditions