Chronic disease can be defined as a disease that persists for 3 months or more. They generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear. Health damaging behaviors – such as tobacco use, lack of physical activity, and poor eating habits - are major contributors to leading chronic diseases.
88% of Americans over 65 years of age have at least one chronic health condition. The leading chronic diseases in the United States include arthritis, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.
These Chronic Disease Fact Sheets (12 pages) provide information in the form of succinct 1-page fact sheets on nearly a dozen chronic health conditions, including resources for prevention and management. |
