Primary Navigation for the CDC Website
CDC en EspaƱol
CDC's Steps Program
divider
Email Icon E-mail this page
Printer Friendly Icon Printer-friendly version
divider
 Steps Program
bullet Home
bullet About Steps
bullet Steps Communities
bullet Success Stories
bullet Publications and Resources
bullet Steps in the News
bullet Newsletters
bullet Evaluation
bullet Diseases and Risk Factors
bullet Health Disparities
bullet 2008 Steps Heroes
bullet March 2008
CAP Action Institute

Contact Info

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Steps Program
4770 Buford Highway, N.E., Mailstop K-93
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717

Telephone: (770) 488-6452
Fax: (770) 488-8488

bullet Send us an email

divider

Diseases and Risk Factors

Please click on the following topics to find information on this page about chronic disease prevention and health promotion related to Steps Program focus areas:

Obesity

Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions. In the last 30 years, the prevalence of obesity among adults has more than doubled to about 33%; the prevalence of overweight has almost tripled among children aged 2–5 and aged 6–11 to 13.9% and 18.8%, respectively; and the prevalence of overweight has more than tripled to 17.4% for adolescents aged 12–19. In 2000, the estimated total cost of obesity in the United States was about $117 billion.

Promoting regular physical activity and healthy eating—and creating an environment that supports these behaviors—are essential to addressing the obesity epidemic. For information and resources related to overweight and obesity, please visit the following Web sites:

Back To Top

Diabetes

In the past 15 years, the number of people in the United States with diagnosed diabetes has more than doubled—reaching 14.6 million in 2005—and an additional 6.2 million people do not even know they have the disease. Furthermore, an estimated 41 million U.S. adults aged 40–74 years have prediabetes, which means that their blood sugar level is elevated enough to place them at high risk for developing diabetes. In 2002, the estimated total cost of diabetes in the United States was
$132 billion.

Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people can take steps to prevent the disease as well as lower the risk of complications if they already have it. In addition, studies have shown that people with prediabetes who lose weight and increase their physical activity can prevent or delay diabetes, and even return their blood glucose levels to normal. For information and resources related to diabetes, please visit the following Web sites:

Back To Top

Asthma

In 2005, more than 32 million Americans had been diagnosed with asthma during their lifetime. Asthma is the third-leading cause of hospitalization for children younger than 15 years of age and accounts for 14 million missed days of school annually. Low-income populations, minorities, and children living in inner cities experience disproportionately higher morbidity and mortality due to asthma. In 2001, the estimated total cost of asthma in the United States was $14 billion.

Asthma can be controlled by following a medical management plan and by avoiding contact with environmental “triggers.” For information and resources related to asthma, please visit the following Web sites:

Back To Top

Physical Inactivity, Poor Nutrition, and Tobacco Use

Underlying these conditions—obesity, diabetes, and asthma—are risk behaviors such as physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. Engaging in healthy behaviors greatly reduces the risk for illness and death due to chronic diseases. Learn more about addressing these three risk factors by visiting the following Web sites:

Back To Top

Additional References

Back To Top


*Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be  inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.

Page last reviewed: May 2, 2008
Page last modified: May 27, 2008
Content source: Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
 

  Home | Policies and Regulations | Disclaimer | e-Government | FOIA | Contact Us
Safer, Healthier People

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A
Tel: (404) 639-3311 / Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534 / (800) 311-3435
USA.gov: The U.S. Governments Official Web PortalDHHS Department of Health
and Human Services