New Report: Tackling chronic conditions with preventive treatment

Chronic conditions continue to place a significant burden on individuals and our health care system. In fact, an estimated 129 million people (51.8%) in the United States are living with at least one chronic condition today. Yet, there is hope on the horizon, as we are seeing a promising pipeline of 1,181 potential new medicines aimed at preventing chronic conditions before they become serious.

Prevention is a game changer; it doesn't just improve health outcomes—it also drives significant cost savings. When we prevent the onset of chronic diseases, we reduce the need for expensive long-term treatments and lower the risk of related comorbidities that further burden patients and our health care system.

• Take, for instance, the new wave of anti-obesity medicines like GLP-1s. These treatments targeting obesity can help prevent the development of type II diabetes, heart disease and other costly conditions.
• Similarly, successful treatment and prevention of hepatitis C can dramatically lower the risk of liver cancer and other severe complications, reducing the need for future medical interventions. Moreover, these cures for hepatitis C have been so effective that by 2026 the cumulative savings will reach $43 billion.

As science progresses, the focus on keeping patients healthy before they reach the point of disease has never been more crucial. By mitigating a disease before it becomes fully realized, preventive treatments reduce the risk of serious illness for patients, leading to better outcomes and savings for our health care system.

To learn more about the pipeline for preventive treatments, check out our latest Medicines in Development report.