Chronic diseases continue to place an overwhelming burden on healthcare systems and families across the nation, accounting for 84% of the nation’s $4.9 trillion in annual healthcare expenditures. Dr. Craig Deligdish, M.D., the CEO of Omni Healthcare in Florida, highlights the need for early detection and preventive care as the foundation of sustainable health outcomes.
The statistics are shocking: In 2023, 76% of US adults (about 194 million people) lived with at least one chronic disease, while 51% (about 130 million) managed two or more. Yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many chronic diseases are preventable through lifestyle modification and early intervention. Dr. Deligdish argues that closing this gap requires transforming how healthcare is delivered. According to Dr. Deligdish, many chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension often progress silently before symptoms appear. “By the time patients feel unwell, the disease may already be advanced,” he explains. “Early screening and regular health assessments can dramatically change outcomes.
Dr. Deligdish points out that preventive care is not just about avoiding illness, but about empowering patients with knowledge. Routine check-ups, timely diagnostic tests, and personalized care plans enable clinicians to identify risks early and intervene before conditions become life-altering. “Prevention gives patients control over their health trajectory,” he adds.
At Omni Healthcare, this approach translates into a strong focus on patient education, coordinated care, and proactive monitoring. Dr. Deligdish highlights that preventive strategies also help reduce long-term healthcare costs while improving quality of life.
He also stresses the role of lifestyle interventions alongside medical care. Nutrition guidance, physical activity, stress management, and ongoing follow-ups are essential components of chronic disease management. “Healthcare must move beyond reactive treatment to sustained, preventive partnerships with patients,” Deligdish says.
The Economic Case for Prevention
Dr. Craig Deligdish also lays out the economics for preventive care. “When we catch disease early, treatment is often simpler, less invasive, and dramatically more cost-effective,” he notes. Research supports this: Investments in community-based prevention programs can yield returns of $5.60 for every $1 spent. People with diabetes incur average annual medical expenditures of $19,736, with about $12,022 attributable to the disease, costs that rise significantly with complications.
“Healthcare systems are drowning in treatment costs for advanced disease that could have been prevented or managed more effectively years earlier,” Dr. Deligdish observes. “Prevention isn’t just the right thing to do clinically, it’s economically essential for sustainability.”
For families, the impact is equally significant. Chronic disease is the leading cause of disability and lost productivity, costing the U.S. economy billions annually in reduced workforce participation and absenteeism. Early intervention keeps people healthy, working, and engaged with their families.
As healthcare continues to evolve, Dr. Deligdish believes that early detection and preventive care will remain central to improving population health. “The future of medicine lies in preventing disease before it disrupts lives,” he concludes.
