Logo image
Characterising acute and chronic care needs: insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Characterising acute and chronic care needs: insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Cecilia Anza-Ramirez, J. Jaime Miranda, Benedetta Armocida, Jorge Cesar Correia, Harriette Gillian Christine Van Spall, David Beran, Amirali Aali, Kalkidan Hassen Abate, Semagn Mekonnen Abate, Cristiana Abbafati, …
Nature communications, Vol.16(1), pp.1-36
07/05/2025
PMID: 40335470
pdf
Characterising acute and chronic care needs1.53 MBDownloadView
Published (Version of record) Open CC BY-NC-ND V4.0
url
Characterising acute and chronic care needsView
Published (Version of record) Open CC BY-NC-ND V4.0

Related links

Metrics

1 Record Views

Abstract

Multidisciplinary Sciences Science & Technology Science & Technology - Other Topics
Chronic care manages long-term, progressive conditions, while acute care addresses short-term conditions. Chronic conditions increasingly strain health systems, which are often unprepared for these demands. This study examines the burden of conditions requiring acute versus chronic care, including sequelae. Conditions and sequelae from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019 were classified into acute or chronic care categories. Data were analysed by age, sex, and socio-demographic index, presenting total numbers and contributions to burden metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Years Lived with Disability (YLD), and Years of Life Lost (YLL). Approximately 68% of DALYs were attributed to chronic care, while 27% were due to acute care. Chronic care needs increased with age, representing 86% of YLDs and 71% of YLLs, and accounting for 93% of YLDs from sequelae. These findings highlight that chronic care needs far exceed acute care needs globally, necessitating health systems to adapt accordingly. Chronic care manages long-term, progressive conditions, while acute care handles short-term ones. Here, authors show chronic conditions account for most of the global health burden, with 68% of DALYs and 93% of YLDs attributed to chronic care needs.

Details

Logo image