Chronic diseases – long-lasting illnesses, such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and depression – are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Chronic diseases affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans and are responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in the U.S. killing more than 1.7 million Americans every year.
Chronic illnesses place an enormous burden on patients and their families, both emotionally and economically. But the impact of chronic diseases does not stop there; it reaches the wider community and economy in many ways, primarily the health care and employment systems. Chronic diseases are one of the main drivers behind the use of health care services in the U.S. As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has warned, “The United States cannot effectively address escalating health care costs without addressing the problem of chronic diseases.” Of every dollar the nation spends on health care, more than 75 cents is spent on medical care for people with chronic illness. Chronic diseases are also the number one cause of lost productivity in the workplace and missed workdays. In the U.S., the costs of chronic disease are estimated to total more than $800 billion each year.
In the Jackson, Mississippi area (Hinds County) – the community evaluated in this report – the burden of chronic disease is especially profound. It is widely prevalent and extremely costly. Although current health status in Jackson is poor – especially for those with chronic conditions – much can be done to reduce the burden of chronic disease in this community. Health behaviors and low health literacy contribute to these illnesses, and are easily modified. With the right information, resources, and support, residents in Jackson can start to make better decisions for their health. They can reduce the burden of chronic disease in their community and dramatically improve their overall health and well-being.
Contents
1.0 Executive Summary
2.0 Introduction
3.0 Chronic Disease in Jackson, MS
3.1 Key Findings on Prevalence and the Burden of Chronic Disease
3.2 Prevalence in Jackson Compared to the U.S.
3.3 Prevalence by Disease
- 3.3.1 Cardiovascular Disease
3.3.2 Cancer
3.3.3 Diabetes
3.3.4 Asthma
3.3.5 Mental Illness
3.4 Chronic Disease Burden by Disease
- 3.4.1 Cardiovascular Disease
3.4.2 Diabetes
3.4.3 Asthma
3.4.4 Cancer
3.4.5 Mental Illness
4.0 Looking to the Future: Changing Behaviors to Improve Health
4.1 Obesity
4.2 Exercise
4.3 Smoking
4.4 Use of Preventive Health Care
5.0 Conclusions
6.0 References
7.0 Appendix: Data Sources and Methodology
7.1 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
7.2 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
7.3 Mississippi Department of Health
7.4 National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Cardiovascular Health (CVH)
7.5 National Health Interview Survey
7.6 United States Census Data
7.7 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
7.8 Prevalence Rates & Cost Estimates
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PDF Ebook The Burden of Chronic Disease in Jackson Final Report
