What do we need to know?

Most of the questions related to the economic, social and political implications of multiple chronic diseases remain unaddressed (31).

 Economic implications

What are the total costs associated with the management of complex chronic diseases?

The estimates must include data on healthcare costs, costs associated with productivity loss and disability, and to family care-giving for different combinations of diseases.

- What are the economic implications of different strategies for the provision of coordinated services (health and social) to people living with multiple chronic diseases?

- What is the most appropriate model of resource allocation across health promotion, disease prevention, healthcare and social service activities to minimize the economic and social impact of multiple chronic diseases?

- What interventions could reduce the productivity loss associated with multiple chronic diseases?

- What technological innovations could offer real, cost-effective alternatives to current care models?

- What is the impact of multiple chronic diseases on the lives of caregivers?

- What policies could lead to a reduction in the prevalence and the economic consequences of multiple chronic diseases?

Social and political implications

- What is the impact of multiple chronic diseases on the lives of caregivers? What new roles, workflows and supportive services are needed to relieve their burden?

- What policies could lead to a large enough reduction in the prevalence and the economic consequences of multiple chronic diseases?

- Could key regions be transformed into living laboratories with the conditions necessary for the development, refinement, implementation and evaluation of innovative ways to optimize the management of polypathology?

- What strategies are needed to position the management of polypathology among the top priorities for leading political, academic, clinical, community and corporate organizations interested in the sustainability of the health system?