The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arthritis Foundation asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to assist in identifying "ways to reduce disability and improve the function and quality of life for people living with chronic illness". In a report released at the end of January 2012, the IOM did just that. Several recommendations include:
- Minimizing duplication of existing public health efforts
- Utilizing research to determine promising practices
- Create state-based strategic plans focused on managing chronic conditions within communities
- Utilize community-based efforts to reach populations with chronic illness
- Expand surveillance efforts to improve data quality
- Reassess policies and community-based efforts regularly to ensure they match current legislation
The concepts outlined throughout the report are vital to improving health and quality of life for many Americans living with chronic conditions. You can read the report in it's entirety here, or can read a brief summary here.