Research Guides: Chronic Diseases: Chronic Diseases Home

About Chronic Diseases

Chronic Disease is defined by the Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2nd ed, as follows:

Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care.

General chronic disease information resources can be found on this page in the sections below titled: Websites & Tools, and Books.

Use the tabs above to find information resources on several selected chronic diseases.

Websites & Tools

CDC - Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Chronic diseases – such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis – are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the U.S. CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) is at the forefront of the nation's efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases.
CDC - Chronic Disease State Profile: Virginia
CDC promotes state-based programs that encourage healthy behaviors and reduce chronic disease risk factors. These programs should be directed to populations at greatest need and build on a foundation of scientific evidence. Through its state and local health partners, CDC helps achieve healthier communities through effective policies and programs such as those highlighted in examples below.
Chronic Disease in Virginia
Data prepared by Virginia Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
AHRQ's Multiple Chronic Conditions Research Network
AHRQ's MCC Research Network aims to improve understanding about interventions that provide the greatest benefit to MCC patients, the safety and effectiveness of interventions that may be affected by MCC, and interventions that may need to be modified for specific patient populations. Over time, this foundational research can begin to help our country meet the needs of Americans living with MCC.
HHS - Inventory of Programs, Activities, and Initiatives Focused on Improving the Health of Individuals with Multiple Chronic Conditions
The purpose of this inventory is to provide basic information about existing (as of September 2011) HHS programs for researchers, providers, and organizations concerned about improving the care of individuals with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). This inventory consists of information self-reported by HHS agencies and includes programs that are primarily focused on the MCC population.

Books

Living Well with Chronic Illness: A Call for Public Health Action by Committee on Living Well with Chronic Disease: Public Health Action to Reduce Disability and Improve Functioning and Quality of Life; Institute of Medicine
ISBN: 0309221277
Publication Date: 2012
In the United States, chronic diseases currently account for 70 percent of all deaths, and close to 48 million Americans report a disability related to a chronic condition.

Population Health & Primary Care Information

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About Chronic Diseases

Websites & Tools

Books