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This post is sponsored by NACo corporate partner, Humana
Chronic disease is costing counties - here's what plan sponsors can do about it
Chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are among the top health challenges facing counties in the U.S. and are a major driver of healthcare spending (1).
These challenges can be exacerbated for counties because public sector employees tend to be older than workers in other industries (2) , and rates of chronic disease increase with age.
Against this background, counties should have a vested interest in encouraging employees and retirees to be proactive about their healthcare. A health insurance plan that prioritizes preventive care can go a long way toward helping members prevent, delay or manage chronic disease.
This FAQ provides more insight into the cost burden of chronic disease and how a preventive, proactive approach to care provides a solution.
Q: What are the costs of chronic disease?
A: The direct costs of chronic disease include the financial toll on plan sponsors and the Medicare system. For example, the economic impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is projected to be $1.1 trillion by 2035, up from $555 billion in 2016 (3).
Q: What is the financial impact of high-risk plan members?
A: The highest risk plan members—those with early-stage disease or chronic conditions—account for 70% of total costs (in terms of investments by payers). Meanwhile, low-risk and medium-risk members account for 30% of total costs.*
Q: Is there a direct correlation between preventive care measures and cost savings?
A: Yes. An example can be found in a study in which participants received cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training for six months. Of those classified as “high risk” at the beginning of the study, 57% were converted to low-risk status by the end. In addition, medical claim costs declined by $1,421 per study participant compared with the previous year (4).
Q: Which preventive care measures should be prioritized for preventing or delaying chronic disease?
A: Cancer screenings and blood pressure screenings can make a big difference in detecting and halting the progression of chronic conditions. Exercise programs and health coaching can also help older adults prevent, delay or manage chronic disease.
Q: How many older adults are affected by chronic disease? Why?
A: Nearly 95% of adults ages 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 80% have two or more (5). Aging, family history and genetics are the main reasons for these statistics. As we age, there’s an increased risk of chronic diseases like dementia, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, among others (6).
*According to a report by Humana
1 “Community-led solutions that address the root causes of America’s unique longevity problem can improve health for all,” County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website, accessed June 1, 2026.
2 “Six charts on the age of federal workers,” USA Facts website, April 9, 2025, accessed June 1, 2026.
3 “Cardiovascular Disease: A Costly Burden for America, Projections Through 2035,” American Heart Association, 2017, accessed June 1, 2026.
4 Leonard L. Berry, Ann M. Mirabito, and William B. Baun, “What’s the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs?,” Harvard Business Review, December 2010, accessed June 1, 2026
5 “The Top 10 Most Common Chronic Conditions in Older Adults,” National Council on Aging, December 2025, accessed June 1, 2026.
6 “Chronic Disease Indicators,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 2024, accessed June 1, 2026.