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| Chronic Diseases |  Chronic diseases can’t be prevented by vaccines or cured by medicines. To a large extent, most chronic disease killers, such as stroke, cancer, diabetes and heart disease, are the result of what people do, or not do, as they go through their daily lives. Approximately 88% of those over 65 years of age have at least one chronic health condition. Health damaging behaviors involve particularly smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor eating habits. Such behavior causes chronic diseases. It is obvious that promoting healthy behavior choices, through education and through community policies and practices, is essential to reducing the burden of chronic diseases.
Arthritis
This disease and its related conditions are the leading cause of disability in the United States. About 43 million Americans are affected by these medical disorders. They can be prevented by regular, moderate exercise, building strong muscle around the joints, and increasing flexibility and endurance.
Cardiovascular Health
Heart disease is the nation's leading cause of death in America. Smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition contribute evidently to heart disease. Changing these behaviors is critical for both preventing and controlling heart disease.
Cancer
It is the second most general cause of death in the United States. Cancer can be controllable through prevention, early detection, and treatment. In order to reduce the nation's cancer load, we have to reduce the prevalence of the behavioral and environmental factors that increase cancer risk. Cancer screening services and high-quality treatment have to be ensured to medically underserved populations.
Breast Cancer
It can be detected in its earliest, most treatable stage by mammography. 76% of all diagnosed cases of breast cancer are among women aged 50 years or older.
Diabetes
It is a serious and increasingly common chronic disease. Improved delivery of care can be performed by early detection. About 7 million people aged 65 years or older have diabetes.
Epilepsy
About 2.3 million Americans are affected by it. People of all ages suffer from this disease, but particularly the very young and the elderly
Obesity
Year by year the epidemic proportions among Americans in all age groups are reaching. Obesity among adults has doubled since 1980. Obese or overweight people are at increased risk for heart disease, arthritis-related disabilities, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers.
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