A new study suggests Nebraska could save tens-of-thousands of lives and billions of dollars if policy makers invested more heavily in efforts to reduce chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Candace DeMatteis is policy director for the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, which commissioned the research.
DeMatteis says more than a million Nebraskans have at least one chronic disease.
The report finds with a more serious funding committment to fighting chronic disease, Nebraska could save nearly 31-billion dollars over next 15 years.
