| Manage Chronic Disease |
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Chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, asthma and coronary artery disease - have a substantial impact on the cost of health care in America.
Consider these facts:
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In 2002, adult obesity contributed to $93 billion in health care and caused at least 300,000 excess deaths in the United States. (Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, The Economics of Obesity - A Report on the Workshop Held at the USDA Economic Research Service, May 2004) |
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Asthma is another prevalent condition that can often be improved with weight management and lifestyle changes. Some 19 million Americans suffer from asthma, and contribute over $11 billion in health care costs. (Source: American Lung Association, Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality, May 2005)
Asthma attacks are triggered by environmental causes, like cold air, cigarette smoke, or allergens. So, talk with your doctor to find out how to identify the triggers and how to avoid them. |
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People with diabetes are more susceptible to other illnesses, and once they acquire these illnesses, often have worse prognosis than those without diabetes.
Diabetes affects over 20 million Americans, and about 6.2 million of them are undiagnosed. (Source: American Diabetes Association, National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2005) |
Also talk with your doctor to make sure you are eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly - just 30 minutes each day of moderate physical activity improves health. Doing so can help prevent the onset of obesity, diabetes, congestive heart failure and other chronic illnesses, and can help you manage a chronic condition, which in turn can help control the increase in health care expenditures.
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