The Burden of Chronic Disease and the Future of Public Health
January 13, 2003

This presentation, given on January 13, 2003, by Dr. James S. Marks, MD, MPH, director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, describes the serious public health and social consequences of chronic diseases and their related risk factors within our current health care infrastructure. The United States faces a health epidemic of unparalleled proportion. Chronic diseases account for about 70% of all U.S. deaths and about 75% of health care costs each year. With the percentage of Americans over the age of 65 expected to double over the next 30 years, we cannot afford the escalating cost of health care. If we are serious about improving the health and quality of life of Americans and keeping our health care budget under control, we cannot afford to ignore the power of prevention.

This presentation contains sound in Streaming Audio Format. You will need RealPlayerฎ to listen to these files.

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This page last reviewed August 17, 2004

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion