Part 3/8:
Kennedy’s statistics were staggering, elucidating that chronic diseases profound consequences not just for individuals but also economically—reportedly costing the U.S. $4.8 trillion, or nearly 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP). The impact of chronic illness is particularly acute among impoverished communities, amplifying existing inequalities in health outcomes. It is a profound injustice, Kennedy argued, that those who are most vulnerable often bear the brunt of such health crises.