What is Chronic Disease?
"A lot of people have chronic diseases that run in the family, so they have to be careful about what they eat. We take steps at my restaurant to make sure that we have healthy food choices that are also very appetizing."
-Carlos, Fresno, CA
Chronic disease refers to diseases that last a long time, usually more than three months. Sometimes chronic diseases can be cured. Other times, the symptoms of chronic diseases never go away, or they exist for awhile and then go away, only to come back months or years later.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic diseases affect 90 million Americans and are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S.
The good news is that you can control or manage many chronic diseases, and prevent them from worsening or causing bigger health problems. And, in many cases, you can prevent chronic diseases from ever developing by making small changes in your daily routine.
Is chronic disease a problem?
On a national level, it is estimated that the cost of chronic diseases is more than $1.4 trillion or 75 percent of Americans’ medical costs according to the CDC.Did You Know?
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A state-funded study found that obese, inactive, and overweight Californians cost the state $21.7 billion a year in health care costs.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic diseases affect 90 million Americans and are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S.
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If you smoke, drink alcohol, or have a family history of a chronic disease, such as cancer, you are more likely to develop a chronic condition.
Latest News
Chronic Health Problems Among Fresno Area Children and Youth. Read the report to learn more.