Diabetes, mental health conditions and musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are far and away health care's most prevalent problems. Each of these chronic diseases continues to grow catastrophically, generating vast populations of sick people who are less happy and less productive—and who require massively expensive treatments that employers and governments are anxious to contain. The growth of these chronic diseases has been on a steep and decades-long upward trend, and all of it was made worse during the pandemic. The situation demands a new approach.

Vast scope of chronic disease

First, take a moment to consider the prevalence of these disorders, their associated costs and how serious the challenges are that our population is facing. Musculoskeletal clinical issues affect more than one out of every two people in the United States age 18 and older, and nearly three out of four age 65 and over. An estimated 126.6 million Americans are affected by a musculoskeletal condition—comparable to the total percentage of Americans living with a chronic lung or heart condition—costing an estimated $213 billion in annual treatment, care and lost wages, according to a new report. MSK represents one-sixth of all spending in the U.S. health care market and is the top cost driver of health care spending.