Our condition spotlight section focuses on health issues that generally last longer than one year. Often referred to as chronic diseases they require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. They are also leading drivers of the nation’s $3.8 trillion in annual health care costs.
Many chronic diseases are caused by a short list of risk behaviors:
- Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Poor nutrition, including diets low in fruits and vegetables and high in sodium and saturated fats.
- Lack of physical activity.
- Excessive alcohol use.
By making healthy choices, you can reduce your likelihood of getting a chronic disease and improve your quality of life.
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