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Chronic Diseases are generally not prevented by vaccines or cured by medication,
nor do they just disappear. To a large degree, the major chronic disease killers
— heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes — are an extension of
what people do, or not do, as they go about their daily lives. Eighty-eight percent
of those over 65 years of age have at least one chronic health condition.3 Health
damaging behaviors — particularly tobacco use, lack of physical activity,
and poor eating habits — are major contributors to the nation's leading
chronic diseases. Clearly, promoting healthy behavior choices, through education
and through community policies and practices, is essential to reducing the burden
of chronic diseases.
Arthritis and related conditions are the leading cause of
disability in the United States affecting nearly 43 million Americans. Although
cost-effective interventions are available to reduce the burden of arthritis,
they are currently underused. Regular, moderate exercise offers a whole host
of benefits to people with arthritis by reducing joint pain and stiffness, building
strong muscle around the joints, and increasing flexibility and endurance.
Cardiovascular Health is a growing concern for all Americans.
Heart disease is the nation's leading cause of death. Three health-related behaviors—tobacco
use, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition—contribute markedly
to heart disease. Modifying these behaviors is critical for both preventing
and controlling heart disease. Modest changes in one or more of these risk factors
among the population could have a profound public health impact.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United
States. Cancer is largely controllable through prevention, early detection,
and treatment. Reducing the nation's cancer burden requires reducing the prevalence
of the behavioral and environmental factors that increase cancer risk. It also
requires ensuring that cancer screening services and high-quality treatment
are available and accessible, particularly to medically underserved populations.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related
deaths in the United States, accounting for 10% of all cancer deaths. The risk
of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. Lack of physical
activity, low fruit and vegetable intake, a low-fiber diet, obesity, alcohol
consumption, and tobacco use may contribute to the risk for colorectal cancer.
Three screening tools flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and the fecal occult
blood test (FOBT) are widely accepted and used to detect colorectal cancer in
its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. In 1999, 66% of Americans
aged 50 years or older reported not having had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
within the last five years, and 79% reported not having had a fecal occult blood
test within the last year.4
Breast Cancer is best detected in its earliest, most treatable
stage by mammography. Seventy-six percent of all diagnosed cases of breast cancer
(are among women aged 50 years or older.4
Diabetes is a serious, costly, and increasingly common chronic
disease. Early detection, improved delivery of care, and better self-management
are the key strategies for preventing much of the burden of diabetes. Seven
million persons aged 65 years or older (20.1% of all people in this age group)
have diabetes.5
Epilepsy and seizures affect about 2.3 million Americans,
and result in an estimated $12.5 billion in medical costs and lost or reduced
earnings and production annually. People of all ages are affected, but particularly
the very young and the elderly. About 10% of Americans will experience a seizure,
and about 3% will have or will have had a diagnosis of epilepsy by age 80.
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions among Americans in
all age groups. Obesity among adults has doubled since 1980. People who are
obese or overweight are at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, arthritis-related disabilities, and some cancers.
Oral health is an important and often overlooked component
of an older adult's general health and well-being. Oral health problems can
cause pain and suffering as well as difficulty in speaking, chewing, swallowing,
and maintaining a nutritious diet. During the past 50 years, the oral health
and use of dental services among older adults have improved. Although this trend
is expected to continue, additional improvement will depend on access to appropriate
dental care.
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