While diseases that claimed countless lives in decades past can now be prevented or well-managed, other diseases remain challenging or have emerged as leading threats. These challenges are further compounded by rising system costs and the growing global race for biopharmaceutical leadership.
Major Health Challenges and New Medicines
There is a growing prevalence and impact of chronic, rare and complex health conditions in the U.S., emphasizing the urgent need for innovative solutions to address these widespread challenges.
6 in 10
Americans have one or more chronic conditions, and 42% have 2 or more.*
*Buttorff C, Ruder T, Bauman M. Multiple Chronic Conditions in the United States. Rand Corporation, 2017.
40%
of Americans will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives.*
*National Cancer Institute. Cancer Statistics. May 2024.
42%
of adults are affected by obesity, a chronic disease that increases the risk of many other health problems.*
*NORC at the University of Chicago. Obesity Prevalence & Comorbidity Map.
25 to 30 million
Americans suffer from one of 7,000 rare disorders, yet only about 500 of these disorders have treatments.*
*NIH. The Promise of Precision Medicine: Rare Diseases. November 2023.
The Economic Toll of Chronic and Rare Diseases on Health Care
Rising costs associated with chronic diseases and aging place mounting pressure on our health care system. At the same time, the long-term savings associated with many new medicines is often undervalued, despite evidence showing significant cost savings with the use of generics and biosimilars.
90%
of the total $4.5 trillion spent annually are spent on chronic diseases and mental health conditions.*
*CDC. Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions. July 2024.
$ 1 trillion
in direct health care costs for Alzheimer’s disease is projected annually by 2050, not accounting for lost wages, stress, and diminished productivity.*
*American Journal of Managed Care. The Economic and Societal Burden of Alzheimer Disease: Managed Care Considerations. September 2022.
$2 trillion
is the projected cost of heart disease and stroke to the U.S. by 2050 unless new interventions are found to reduce the burden of disease.*
*CDC. Fast Facts: Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions. July 2024.
$966 billion
is the annual cost to the U.S. for 400 rare diseases affecting 15.5 million Americans.*
*The Everylife Foundation. The National Economic Burden of Chronic Disease Study. February 2021.
Global Race for Biopharmaceutical Leadership
American preeminence is not guaranteed. Who leads in the next era of medicine will depend on the policies that the U.S. adopts, as countries, such as China, seek to become world leaders in this important sector.
$276 billion
was the total global R&D investment in 2021 across more than 4,000 companies, with U.S.-headquartered companies contributing 55%, Europe 29%, and Asia/Pacific 15%.*
*Nature. Comprehensive Measurement of Biopharmaceutical R&D Investment. August 2024.
Nearly 1/3rd
of the increase in global R&D growth since 2000 is attributed to China, as U.S. scientific and engineering investment has declined relative to the rest of the world.*
*NIH. China Overtaking US as Global Research Leader. February 2020.
Building on Progress for a Healthier Future
In the first quarter of the 21st century, groundbreaking innovations have transformed health care, offering new ways to prevent, treat and manage hundreds of diseases — from childhood genetic disorders to age-related illnesses. Today, Americans are better equipped to face serious illnesses than ever.
This progress stems from a policy environment that fosters innovation, protects intellectual property, ensures a predictable regulatory framework and expands patient access to cutting-edge medicines. With smart policies, the next 25 years hold even greater promise.
We stand on the brink of unprecedented biopharmaceutical breakthroughs, with the potential to revolutionize health care, reduce the burden of disease for millions and create a healthier future for all. Together, we can make this vision a reality.