In the developed countries of the world, we are living longer than at any time in history.

In the developed countries of the world, we are living longer than at any time in history. While this is definitely a plus for those of use in our later years, it also has resulted in more of those individuals over fifty living longer with chronic medical conditions. How does the management of a chronic medical conditions differ from acute management? What are the long-term costs of issues like Peripheral Vascular Disease, High Cholesterol, Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, etc.? How has the current medical system evolved, or devolved, because of these challenges? Where do multiple level practitioners (Physician's Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, etc) fit into this model?