According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six in ten adults live with a chronic disease (CD). Even more startling, four in ten adults live with two or more chronic diseases. Not only is preventing chronic disease important for maintaining a normal, healthy day-to-day life, it is essential for keeping you and your family at a reduced risk during outbreaks of illness such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
What are chronic diseases? Chronic diseases are defined as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention, or limit activities of daily living or both. They are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
The most well-known CDs are diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Some chronic diseases that might not come to mind initially include:
- Alzheimer disease and dementia
- Asthma
- Cancer
- COPD
- Crohn disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Epilepsy
- HIV/AIDS
- Mood disorders (bipolar, cyclothymic, and depression)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Obesity
- Parkinson disease
How are they prevented? It’s simpler than you think to prevent chronic diseases! Many CDs are caused by lifestyle choices that you are already most likely familiar with. The most difficult part is putting these choices into action.
Why are chronic diseases important during outbreaks such as COVID-19? People of all ages who live with a chronic disease are at serious danger of becoming extremely sick during these outbreaks, as their immune systems are already compromised. It is extremely important for people with CDs to manage their conditions during such outbreaks. Find out more here.
Find out if you are at higher risk here.
What can I do to help my health now? The Long Island Health Collaborative has created a resource for chronic disease self-management on Long Island called Live Better.Check it out here!