Conclusions
Chronic disease care has always been essential, and providing this care has become challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly as a result of delays in care and inadequate access. Now is the time to work together to improve awareness of the need for prevention and care and to encourage the safe utilization of needed care and the effective self-management of chronic diseases. Otherwise, we may find ourselves overwhelmed by poor health outcomes when the pandemic is over. This work will require innovative approaches from a health care system that must balance risks and benefits during the pandemic. Even more importantly, it will require a concerted effort to address the social determinants of health compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic that are driving today's health inequities.
Acknowledgments
The findings and conclusions in this essay are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. No copyrighted materials were used in the preparation of this essay.
Prev Chronic Dis. 2021;18(1):e03 © 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
