Language
English (en)
Publication Date
12-2025
Summary
We are living longer. Today, men and women who reach age 65 will live another 17 to 20 years, on average. As the human body ages, normal biological changes increase vulnerability to illness, and the risk of developing disease increases. At the same time, advances in public health, medicine, and health care have reduced deaths from acute conditions, like infection and accidents, and have increased our chances of living longer into the human life span. Thus, we now have greater chances of developing one or more chronic diseases. Most (75%) adults in the U.S. live with at least one chronic condition; with 50% having two or more. When we reach age 65, those numbers rise to 93% having one and 79% having two chronic conditions.
Document Type
Brief
Recommended Citation
Dinman, M., & Fox, L. (2025). Preventing, delaying, and managing chronic disease. Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging at Washington University In St. Louis [Issue brief #2025.06]. https://doi.org/10.7936/hedv-ym29
Comments
Issue Brief #2025.06