The people left behind: refining priorities for health care during and after the pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has exposed gaps in healthcare systems. Recognition of the impact of these gaps offers an opportunity for healthcare professionals working with political institutions to improve the intersection between health and society. Healthcare systems will need simultaneously to deal with non-COVID-19 chronic conditions (“the people left behind”) as well as maintain hospital facilities at a high level of preparedness for urgent care pandemic patients. 

Chronic diseases account for 50-75% of total healthcare costs and the majority of deaths globally1,2,3,4. Current delivery models are poorly constructed to manage these chronic diseases with low adherence ...