Take steps to prevent chronic disease

Six in 10 adults in the U.S. currently live with a chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes.

While some chronic diseases are detected at a young age, others develop later in life. Each of us can make healthy choices to reduce the risk of developing one of these serious medical conditions.

Tips to reduce the risk

Chronic diseases are broadly defined as conditions that last longer than one year and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living (or both). They are the leading causes of illness, disability and death in the U.S., and are the main drivers of our nation’s $4.1 trillion in annual health care costs.

Many chronic diseases are caused by key risk factors such as tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.

The positive news is that by avoiding these risk factors and making healthy choices, the likelihood of getting a chronic disease is reduced.

Here are some helpful tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• Exercise
  Regular physical activity can help you prevent, delay or manage chronic diseases. Aim for moderate-intensity physical activity (like brisk walking or gardening) for at least 150 minutes a week, with muscle-strengthening activities two days a week.

• Eat healthy
  People with good nutrition live longer and have less risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. A healthy eating plan includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products. It also limits added sugars, saturated fats and sodium.

• Avoid alcohol
  Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, various cancers, heart disease, stroke and liver disease. Monitor alcohol use and work with health care providers on a customized plan for drinking less to reduce these health risks.

• Get screened
  To prevent chronic diseases or catch them early, when they are easier to treat, visit a doctor for preventive services such as cancer screening tests and diabetes testing. Regular check-ups are separate from visiting a doctor for sickness or injury and focus on ways to prevent health problems and make informed health decisions.

• Take care of your teeth
  Oral diseases, which range from cavities to oral cancer, cause pain and disability. To help prevent these problems, drink fluoridated water, brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss daily. Be sure to visit a dentist at least once a year, which also applies to people with no natural teeth or dentures.

• Get enough sleep
  Insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and poor management of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression. Generally, adults should get at least seven hours of sleep daily.

• Know your family history
  People with a family history of a chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes or osteoporosis may be more likely to develop that disease. Sharing family health history with a doctor can help prevent these conditions or catch them early.

Please note that in many cases, Plan Providers have support programs and classes for each of these areas outlined above. Call your provider or health plan for more information.