Chronic Disease Prevention

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These diseases account for seven of every 10 deaths, 75% of health care costs, and affect the quality of life of Anne Arundel County residents. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these diseases. The prolonged course of illness and disability from such chronic diseases as diabetes and arthritis results in extended pain and suffering and decreased quality of life. Disabling conditions cause major limitations in activity for more than one of every 10 Americans, or 25 million people, and thousands of Anne Arundel County residents. Treating chronic diseases is tremendously costly, difficult and frustrating.

The following table illustrates the underlying causes of death in Anne Arundel County; notice that most of them contribute to chronic disease, long-term illness, and early death.

This table helps illustrate the effect chronic disease has on long-term disability.

Source: CDC. Prevalence of disability and associated health conditions-United States, 1991-1992. MMWR 1994;43(40): 730-1, 737-9

The Department of Health continues to promote healthy lifestyles among County residents. The role of the physician in changing behavior has been well documented and cannot be understated. In a recent poll of County residents about behaviors that were known to be adverse to health (smoking, inactivity, lack of getting a colonoscopy), residents were asked why, for example, they still smoked. The most frequent answer, surprisingly, was: "My doctor never told me to quit." Physicians work hard to develop quality relationships with their patients. In such a context they can effect changes that will benefit them for a lifetime. In this section, we will focus on the chronic diseases that most impact County residents. We will offer suggestions, and additional resources that we hope you can use to help your patients develop the kinds of life skills that will enable them to live longer, healthier lives. Arguably, the most important thing you do with a patient might be the efforts you make to help them avoid chronic diseases for which they are at high risk.

Additional helpful information on Chronic Diseases can be found on the CDC Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/.