CHRONIC DISEASES – MEDICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS
CHRONIC DISEASES – MEDICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

Summary/Abstract: Chronic diseases result in an enormous burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide, projected to continuously increase over the next decades. Cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus, represent the main causes of death caused by chronic conditions. The majority of chronic diseases are multifactor disorders, the main etiological role being played by various behavioral or environmental risk factors. Social factors such as education, employment status, income, familial and social stress have also a major role in determining chronic diseases, both directly and indirectly, by increasing the susceptibility to behavioral risk factors. Chronic pathology results in chronic symptoms which dramatically impairs the patient quality of life and working capacity, also resulting in a significant social and economic burden. Social problems develop with the progressive exercise capacity alteration, resulting in limited mobility, home-bounding, self-care disability and bed-bounding, the ultimate consequences being social isolation, family conflicts and even stigma. Chronic diseases prevention focuses on behavioral risk modifying, mainly implying specific social interventions, as long as most behavioral risk factors are represented by socially mediated activities. Considering the magnitude of the problems currently determined by chronic diseases, a coherent strategy for the management of these conditions, should be a high priority at both levels of society and health care systems. This strategy must provide an efficient risk control, the optimal medical care for the patient, by applying a holistic patient–centered approach, and specific social assistance.

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