> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.fdaweb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# FDA Wants to Stem Common Chronic Diseases: Califf
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-wants-to-stem-common-chronic-diseases-califf/
- Published: 2024-07-16T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T14:35:32.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5157360

FDA commissioner **Robert Califf** says he hopes the agency will look for opportunities to enable innovation in stalled areas in chronic disease treatment. Writing in an *FDA Voices* online [post](Since%20graduating%20from%20medical%20school%20in%201978,%20I’ve%20seen%20medicine%20and%20healthcare%20change%20in%20unimaginable%20ways%20for%20the%20better.%20However,%20one%20of%20the%20most%20alarming%20changes%20is%20the%20recent%20decline%20in%20life%20expectancy%20in%20our%20country,%20largely%20due%20to%20the%20cumulative%20impact%20of%20common%20chronic%20diseases%20%28CCDs%29,%20combined%20with%20excessive%20rates%20of%20suicide,%20drug%20overdose%20and%20gun%20violence,%20and,%20of%20course,%20COVID-19.%20How%20can%20it%20be%20that%20our%20prowess%20in%20technology%20is%20not%20translating%20into%20better%20health%20and%20longevity%20for%20the%20American%20public?), Califf reviews statistics showing that seven of the 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. are common chronic diseases (CCDs).

Most Americans have multiple CCDs, Califf writes. “Some CCDs like heart disease have seen important advances in care,” he says. “Unfortunately, others, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have fewer therapeutic options. Moreover, while our health system continues to function well for many acute conditions, its ability to prevent and manage chronic conditions over a long period of time is often limited.”

The post looks at agency pathways that Califf says have brought revolutionary treatments for CCDs to Americans. In many cases, he says, creative regulatory strategies have accelerated development and led industry to productive new interventions, and in many cases, the evidence-based rejection of ineffective interventions has paved the way for effective therapies.

Noting that interventions for chronic diseases are often expensive to study because they need to be evaluated in large diverse populations with a comorbidity burden similar to the indicated population over a follow-up period reflecting the chronic nature of the condition and the duration of treatment, Califf says FDA has launched several programs to simplify clinical trials and streamline them with routine patient care.

“Chronic diseases are a major priority for me personally,” Califf concludes, “and for FDA as an institution, but it will take all of us to play a part in helping stem this rising burden.”