Preventing Chronic Diseases and Reducing Health Risk Factors

Our nation faces a health crisis due to the increasing burden of chronic disease. Today, 7 of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States are chronic diseases, and almost 50% of Americans live with at least one chronic illness. People who suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and arthritis experience limitations in function, health, activity, and work, affecting the quality of their lives as well as the lives of their families.

Underlying these diseases and conditions are significant health risk factors such as tobacco use and exposure, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. Engaging in healthy behaviors greatly reduces the risk for illness and death due to chronic diseases.

The links on this page provide information and resources about chronic diseases and health risk factors addressed by CDC’s Healthy Communities Program:

Heart Disease

• CDC’s Heart Disease Web Site
• CDC’s At A Glance Report on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

Stroke

• CDC’s Stroke Web Site
• CDC’s At A Glance Report on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

Diabetes

• CDC’s Diabetes Web Site
• CDC's At A Glance Report on Diabetes

Cancer

• CDC's Cancer Prevention and Control Web Site
• CDC's At A Glance Report on Cancer

Obesity

• CDC's Overweight and Obesity Web Site
• CDC's At A Glance Report on Obesity

Arthritis

• CDC's Arthritis Web Site
• CDC's At A Glance Report on Arthritis

Tobacco Use and Exposure

• CDC's Smoking and Tobacco Use Web Site
• CDC's At A Glance Report on Tobacco Use

Population Health

• CDC's Physical Activity Web Site
• CDC's Nutrition Web Site
• CDC's Adolescent and School Health Web Site
• CDC's Healthy Aging Web Site

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