Morbidity
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Arthritis
There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Arthritis commonly occurs with other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Interventions to treat the pain and reduce the functional limitations from arthritis are important, and may also enable people with these other chronic conditions to be more physically active.
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Cancer
Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases. Although there are many kinds of cancer, all cancers start because abnormal cells grow out of control. Untreated cancers can cause serious illness and death.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and in some cases asthma.
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Diabetes
Diabetes can have a harmful effect on most of the organ systems in the human body - it is a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease, non-traumatic lower-extremity amputation, and a leading cause of blindness among working age adults. Persons with diabetes are also at increased risk for ischemic heart disease, neuropathy, and stroke.
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Disability
The chance of having a disability goes up with age, from less than 10% for people 15 years of age or younger to almost 75% for 80 or older. In the United States, 1 in 5 people have at least 1 disability.
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Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when a section of the heart muscle dies or gets damaged because of reduced blood supply. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the main cause of heart attack. A less common cause is a severe spasm of a coronary artery, which also can prevent blood supply from reaching the heart.
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High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the number 1 modifiable risk factor for stroke. In addition to stroke, high blood pressure also contributes to heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, and atherosclerosis. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease. In the United States, 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure, and nearly 1/3 of these people are not aware that they have it.
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Obesity
Obesity is an indicator of the overall health and lifestyle of a community. Obesity increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis.
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Poor Mental Health
The burden of mental illness in the United States is among the highest of all diseases, and mental disorders are among the most common causes of disability.
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Vision Impairment
Vision is an essential part of everyday life, influencing how Americans of all ages learn, communicate, work, play, and interact with the world. Yet millions of Americans live with visual impairment, and many more remain at risk for eye disease and preventable eye injury.