Understanding Disparities in Persons with Multiple Chronic Conditions: Research Approaches and Datasets

Final White Paper

Contract # HHSP2333700IT

Prepared for:
James Sorace, MD, MS,   Michael Millman, PhD
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
200 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, DC 20201

Prepared by:
Abt Associates Inc.
Cambridge, MA

Lisa LeRoy, MBA, PhD
Melanie Wasserman, PhD
Michael Rezaee, MPH
Alan White, PhD

The information contained in this white paper was compiled by Abt Associates, Inc. under contract #HHSP2333700IT to the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in September 2013. The findings and conclusions of this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of ASPE or HHS.

Understanding how to provide better care for individuals with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) is a priority for the Department of Health and Human Services. Persons with MCC represent almost one-third of the U.S. population and account for two-thirds of health care spending, yet most research on chronic conditions focuses on single diseases. In response to this growing challenge, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) led the development of the Strategic Framework on Multiple Chronic Conditions, a roadmap for federal MCC priorities.