Addressing the global challenge of multimorbidity

1There is no standard definition of ‘multimorbidity’ – various different definitions are used. Which definitions (or aspects of definitions) do you think are most helpful to efforts to describe and understand multimorbidity?

Please provide references for any published research, and highlight any other initiatives related to multimorbidity that the Academy may be interested in.

Current knowledge base

When answering these questions, please consider both national and international populations of high, middle, and low income countries. Please provide examples and case studies to illustrate your arguments where appropriate. Please provide references for any published research.

2What are the key data, and what data sources exist, on the prevalence, burden (including costs and impact on health systems) and determinants of multimorbidity? Are there significant gaps in such data and, if so, what are they?

3What are the key data, and what data sources exist, on the prevention of multimorbidity? Are there significant gaps in such data and, if so, what are they?

4What are the key data, and what data sources exist, on the management of multimorbidity? Are there significant gaps in such data; if so, what are they?

The term ‘management’ here could refer to clinical interventions designed to specifically treat patients with multimorbidity as well as strategies for the delivery of healthcare services patients with multimorbidity. The term also refers to a wide range of management approaches that may differ by the specific diseases that co-exist.

5What are the key sources of funding for research into multimorbidity? Are there gaps in funding and, if so, where?

6What should the definition of ‘multimorbidity’ be? How would this definition improve research and/or treatment?

7What are the priorities for research about the prevalence, burden and determinants of multimorbidity?

8What are the priorities for research about the prevention of multimorbidity?

9What are the priorities for research about the management (as defined above) of patients with multimorbidity?

10What should be the strategic response of both national and international research funders and agencies be to multimorbidity?