Taking control of personal health habits has never been more important. The current statistics in our country indicate trends that should alarm every single one of us. As we age into our 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and beyond, it’s imperative to embrace a passionate dedication to the prevention of chronic disease. Here’s a look at the current numbers…
***These statistics are available on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. I am providing a brief summary to highlight important trends. They have detailed articles, charts, and graphs on specific statistics if you would like to read more. www.cdc.gov***
Definition
“Chronic diseases and conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis—are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems.”
Cost
- Eighty-six percent of the nation’s $2.7 trillion annual health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions. These are crippling costs for our country.
How Many of Us Have…
- As of 2012 50% of adults had at least one chronic health condition.
- As of 2014, heart disease and cancer accounted for nearly 50% of all deaths in the U.S
- More than 33% of all adults have at least one form of heart disease
- As of 2014, almost 40% of adults registered as obese.
- Each year in the United States, more than 1.5 million people are diagnosed with cancer, and more than 500,000 die of the disease.
- 10% of the population has diabetes, with another 30% pre-diabetic
- 33% of the nations youth is obese or overweight. The number continues to grow each year.
- Arthritis is a leading cause of work disability, with more than 25% of adults reporting severe discomfort in joints.
Unfortunately…
- In 2015, more than 37% of adolescents and 40% of adults said they ate fruit less than once a day, while 39% of adolescents and 22% of adults said they ate vegetables less than once a day
- In 2015, 50% of adults aged 18 years or older did not meet recommendations for aerobic physical activity. In addition, 79% did not meet recommendations for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity
Many chronic diseases can be prevented. If they can’t, they can be better managed and treated with healthy lifestyle, exercise, and nutrition choices. Once you reach 40 years old, your chances of developing a chronic disease increase significantly. Take responsibility!
Make A Commitment To:
- Eliminate processed foods from your diet
- Eat more vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats
- Stand more
- Walk and move more
- Exercise more
- Get early screenings, especially if you have family history of chronic disease
