Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases are conditions requiring ongoing medical attention, last over a year, and limit activities of daily living. Chronic diseases such as heart disease (Congestive Heart Failure) and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Combined, these diseases are the leading drivers of the nation’s $4.1 trillion in annual health care costs.

Most chronic diseases are caused by a few risk behaviors like:

• Smoking and using tobacco
• Excessive alcohol use 
• Diets low in fruits and vegetables and high in sodium and saturated fats which leads to poor nutrition
• Inactivity or limited exercise