Rising Incidence of Chronic Diseases: Chronic diseases account for more than 50% of total deaths across the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 6 in 10 Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease, such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, and diabetes. Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the US, with cardiovascular disease and cancer collectively accounting for ~38% of all deaths. As per World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 data, 17.9 million deaths are recorded across the world annually due to cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancers (9.3 million), respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (1.5 million). In addition, there has been a staggering rise in the percentage of adults and children affected by chronic illnesses. Apart from worrying about the recurring medical expenses of patients suffering from chronic diseases, family members also need to be proactive in arranging transportation in emergencies, as these patients require regular access to life-saving health services to remain fit. While some might need therapies on a daily basis, many visit their physicians for weekly consultations. Moreover, several chronic diseases can result in temporary or permanent immobility. Arranging a separate car may not be possible, especially for families belonging to low-income groups who do not own any vehicle. In such cases, NEMT proves to be an effective solution for such groups. Studies show that around 20 million people are suffering from chronic kidney disease who need to reach the healthcare facilities on time for dialysis. One missed appointment can lead to an emergency admission to the hospital. For such patients, the easy availability of NEMT offers individuals affected by chronic conditions access to life-sustaining treatments and health care services without delay. NEMT is a reliable way to go to appointments without missing them due to hindrances related to transportation; this
Rising Incidence of Chronic Diseases: Chronic diseases account for more than 50% of total deaths across the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 6 in 10 Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease, such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, and diabetes. Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the US, with cardiovascular disease and cancer collectively accounting for ~38% of all deaths. As per World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 data, 17.9 million deaths are recorded across the world annually due to cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancers (9.3 million), respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (1.5 million). In addition, there has been a staggering rise in the percentage of adults and children affected by chronic illnesses. Apart from worrying about the recurring medical expenses of patients suffering from chronic diseases, family members also need to be proactive in arranging transportation in emergencies, as these patients require regular access to life-saving health services to remain fit. While some might need therapies on a daily basis, many visit their physicians for weekly consultations. Moreover, several chronic diseases can result in temporary or permanent immobility. Arranging a separate car may not be possible, especially for families belonging to low-income groups who do not own any vehicle. In such cases, NEMT proves to be an effective solution for such groups. Studies show that around 20 million people are suffering from chronic kidney disease who need to reach the healthcare facilities on time for dialysis. One missed appointment can lead to an emergency admission to the hospital. For such patients, the easy availability of NEMT offers individuals affected by chronic conditions access to life-sustaining treatments and health care services without delay. NEMT is a reliable way to go to appointments without missing them due to hindrances related to transportation; this