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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Between 1995 and 2000, the total costs attributed to obesity rose $18 billion, from $99 billion to $117 billion. Most of the cost associated with obesity is due to type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension — preventable conditions that cost billions of dollars each year.
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Asthma is another prevalent condition that can often be improved with weight management and lifestyle changes. Some 17 million Americans suffer from asthma, and we spend over $8 billion annually to treat it.
Asthma attacks are triggered by environmental causes, like cold air, cigarette smoke, or allergens. 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 nearly 17 million Americans, and about 5.9 of them are unaware they have the disease.
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.
*Source: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, 2003.
Things You Can Do:
Eat Responsibly
Practice Safety/Prevention
Manage Chronic Disease
Step Up Physical Activity
Save the ER for Emergencies
Request Generic Drugs
Develop an Ongoing Relationship with Your Physician
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