Chronic Diseases and Conditions
Chronic diseases - such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and arthritis - are the leading causes of disability and death in New York State and throughout the United States. They are leading drivers of health care costs and are also responsible for these staggering statistics:
- More than 40% of New York adults suffer from a chronic disease
- Six out of every 10 deaths in New York State are caused by chronic diseases
- Heart disease and cancer account for over half of all deaths in New York State
Although common and costly, many chronic diseases are also preventable. Eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use can help keep you from developing many of these diseases.
Getting routine preventive care is also important. For example, screening tests for cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure can help identify diseases earlier when they may be easier to treat.
If you already have a chronic condition, it is important to eat well, stay active, and follow your treatment plan so you can better manage your illness, avoid complications, and prolong your life.
Health Equity and Chronic Diseases
Some groups of people are at higher risk of chronic diseases due to the conditions in which they are born, grow, work, live, and age. These conditions are called social determinants of health. Social determinants of health, such as lack of access to safe and secure housing, quality education, affordable and nutritious food, and transportation, contribute to disparities in the burden of chronic diseases. Strategies to advance health equity and reduce chronic disease should focus on creating community environments, policies, and systems that give everyone the fair and just opportunity to be healthy.
Learn more: Health Equity
Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases
Poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use and exposure, and excessive alcohol use are risk factors for developing chronic diseases. Oftentimes, the conditions in which someone lives and works limit their ability to make healthy choices related to these risk factors.
Poor Nutrition and Physical Inactivity
Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are risk factors for obesity and other chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in New York State and across the nation. Approximately 2 out of every 3 adult New Yorkers have either obese or overweight BMI status.
Tobacco Use
All commercial tobacco use is harmful, especially cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the U.S. Smoking can cause many diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Excessive Alcohol Use
More than 8,000 New Yorkers die each year due to excessive alcohol use, shortening the lives of those who die by an average of 24 years. Excessive alcohol use includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any alcohol use by pregnant persons or anyone younger than 21. Over time, alcohol use can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, digestive problems, and several types of cancer.
Learn More About Specific Chronic Diseases
Chronic Disease Data Sources and Tools
About the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention
The Department of Health's Division of Chronic Disease Prevention implements innovative public health strategies across New York State to reduce the incidence and burden of chronic diseases and related conditions, like obesity. The Division of Chronic Disease Prevention has five bureaus: (1) Tobacco Control; (2) Community Chronic Disease Prevention (which includes the following programs: Asthma Control, Diabetes Prevention, Disability and Health, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, and Physical Activity and Nutrition); (3) Cancer Prevention and Control; (4) Cancer Epidemiology; and (5) Chronic Disease Evaluation and Research.
Recognizing that the burden of chronic disease is not evenly distributed, the Division is committed to advancing racial justice and health equity by addressing systematic inequities that drive disparities in chronic disease outcomes. Guided by cultural humility principles, the Division aims to ensure all programs and initiatives reflect and meet the unique needs of all communities in New York state.
Please see Division of Chronic Disease Prevention for more information about the Division.
