Chronicity in the 21st century: facing the challenges of a changing society

In recent years, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, among others.These diseases have a profound impact on people's quality of life, because they impose adaptations on the way of life and a substantial economic burden on families and health systems, which need to be understood in the care management process in the Health Care Network. A Brazilian study showed that, in the last decade, there was an increase in the prevalence of depression, cancer, diabetes, neuropsychiatric disorders, chronic lung problems and musculoskeletal disorders.Those Brazilians affected with at least one NCD, overtime, were covered by the Family Health Strategy, but there was a reduction in timely medical care and obtaining free prescription drugs01.Thus, it is crucial to understand the underlying causes to support effective public policiesfor NCD prevention and control. The majority of the population has adopted unhealthy habits, such as fatty diets, sedentary lifestyle, alcoholism and smoking, which have contributed to the increase of these diseases. [...]programs to promote healthy lifestyles and awareness of associated risks are essential to prevent and control chronicity, in which the health system must promote primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary prevention based on evidence.