U.S. Faces Stalled Progress in Chronic Disease Prevention: What It Means for Nurses and Healthcare Employers

A new study published in The Lancet on September 10 reveals a concerning reality for the U.S. healthcare system: progress in reducing deaths from chronic diseases has slowed dramatically, especially when compared to other high-income countries.

From 2010 to 2019, mortality from non-communicable diseases including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses declined across most Western nations. However, the U.S. posted the smallest decline among its peers. Even more troubling, the probability of dying from these diseases increased for American adults aged 20 to 45, according to The New York Times.

This trend underscores a growing public health challenge and highlights an urgent need for a stronger, better-supported nursing workforce including internationally trained nurses to meet prevention and treatment demands.

Children’s Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Under Review

In the same week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Make America Healthy Again Commission report. The report explored factors contributing to chronic disease trends, focusing on:

• Environmental chemical exposure
• The role of ultra-processed foods and poor nutrition
• Impacts of excessive screen time on youth health
• Concerns about “overmedicalization”
• Vaccine-related injuries and autism

One of the report’s major recommendations was expanding the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) research capabilities in chronic disease prevention. However, this comes at a time when federal layoffs and research agency consolidations could potentially weaken public health research infrastructure.

Budget Cuts Threaten Public Health Programs

According to NPR, the proposed 2026 federal budget from President Trump targets the CDC’s chronic disease prevention division for elimination. This division also includes offices dedicated to smoking prevention a critical area of public health, given smoking’s strong links to heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

If these cuts proceed, the burden of chronic disease prevention will increasingly fall on frontline healthcare providers, especially nurses working in primary care, community health, and chronic care management.

Why This Matters for U.S. Healthcare Employers and International Nurses

The United States is already facing a national nurse shortage, particularly in primary care and community-based health settings. Chronic disease prevention and management require skilled professionals who can provide patient education, conduct screenings, and implement lifestyle intervention programs.

For international nurses seeking U.S. healthcare jobs, this trend signals:

• Rising demand for nurses with experience in preventive care and public health.
• Increased opportunities in *community health centers, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.
• Strong need for nurses trained in chronic disease management protocols.

For U.S. healthcare employers, recruiting globally through platforms like NurseContact offers:

• Access to highly qualified international nurses ready to fill critical gaps.
• A streamlined hiring process with full compliance support for immigration and licensing.
• The ability to address staffing shortages before they disrupt patient care.

The Road Ahead

The current stagnation in chronic disease mortality improvement is more than a public health statistic it’s a call to action for the entire U.S. healthcare workforce. As research funding faces uncertainty and policy changes loom, the expertise of dedicated nurses will be a cornerstone in reversing these troubling health trends.

By connecting healthcare employers with skilled international nurses, NurseContact helps fill vital roles in patient care, community health, and prevention programs ensuring that patients receive the comprehensive support they need, now and in the future.