Epidemiology & Public Health

Chronic disease is well recognized as the major health challenge in developed and many emerging economies. Virtually, all health care organizations within the system that deliver services, including those who plan, fund and coordinate services have a role to play in chronic disease prevention, management and sustainability. Leadership, resources, incentives, quality improvement across the healthcare system and within individual organizations, are pre-requisite to a successful implementation and sustainability as part of the framework’s practice and system changes. Chronic disease management programs can deliver benefits only if they are able to reach a certain level of maturity, population reach, requiring sustained policy settings, programs and activities over time. Effective maintenance of chronic disease management programs once they are implemented is often challenging, given the rapid changes in budgetary and political climates in health system. The need to better understand leadership factor to promote long-term program sustainability is crucial. The aim of this review was to examine how leadership characteristics influence the implementation and sustainability of chronic disease programs and future directions for the academic field.