Nearly 130 million Americans have a major chronic health condition1 — some of which are preventable. Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes do more than affect your health. They can also impact your finances, consume precious time and decrease your quality of life.
Understanding your risk factors and taking a proactive approach to your health can help detect issues early and potentially prevent some diseases. Are you at risk for some of the most common chronic health conditions?
A chronic health condition is a long-term health issue, often lasting a year or more, that limits daily activities and requires ongoing medical treatment.
Four common chronic conditions include cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The facts: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.2 Cardiovascular disease includes heart attacks, blood vessel disease, strokes, heart failure, arrhythmia and heart valve issues.3
Risk factors: Age, family history and ethnicity are risk factors that cannot be controlled. Other risk factors can be controlled, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, high alcohol consumption and tobacco use.4
Treatment: This varies depending on the type of heart disease and what caused the condition. Treatment can include healthy eating, exercise, tobacco cessation, medications, medical procedures or heart surgery.5
The facts: One in three women and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.6 Of the 100+ types of cancer7, breast, lung and bronchus, prostate and colorectal cancers account for nearly half of all new cancer cases in the U.S.8
Risk factors: Risks include age, smoking, excessive sun exposure, obesity, family history, chronic health conditions and environmental factors.9
Treatment: This varies widely depending on the type and stage of cancer. Treatment could include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, a bone marrow transplant, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy or clinical trials.
The facts: More than two in five adults in the U.S. are obese, and 58% of those adults also have high blood pressure, which puts them at risk of heart disease.10 Females are seven times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, and males are 20 times more at risk.11
Risk factors: Many factors can contribute to obesity, including:11
Treatment: A health care provider can perform an exam and develop a weight loss plan. This could include calculating your body mass index (BMI) and ruling out other health issues. A healthy diet and physical activity are vital to losing weight and keeping it off.
The facts: More than 11% of Americans have diabetes. It’s an expensive disease, costing more than $300 billion in direct medical costs.12 It occurs when the body doesn’t properly regulate glucose, leaving too much sugar in the blood. Common symptoms include frequent urination, fatigue, excessive thirst, blurry vision, and tingling or pain in the hands and feet.13
Risk factors: Obesity, family history, ethnicity and age are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Treatment: People with type 2 diabetes need to work with a health care provider to develop a plan for healthy eating. This can include learning to read food labels and understanding how to balance carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Treatment can also include a weight loss plan, regular blood glucose testing, and the use of insulin or other medications.
GuideStone® health plans offer access to Twin Health™, a program to help heal disrupted metabolism and reverse prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Screenings are critical for early diagnosis, potentially resulting in less invasive treatment and a better outcome. Most health plans offer screenings at no additional cost for preventive care.
It’s also important to discuss family history with your health care provider. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.14 If you are diagnosed with a chronic condition, seek ongoing treatment and don’t skip appointments.
We understand that dealing with a chronic condition can be challenging. At GuideStone, we advocate for your well-being with health plans that offer care navigation to guide you through treatment. For more information, contact us at Insurance@GuideStone.org or 1-844-INS-GUIDE (1-844-467-4843), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
GuideStone welcomes the opportunity to share this general information. However, this article is not intended to be relied upon as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
1CDC.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm
2Newsroom.Heart.org/news/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign
3Heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease
4CDC.gov/heart-disease/risk-factors/index.html
5MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353124
6Cancer.org
7Cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf
8Seer.Cancer.gov/statfacts/html/common.html
9MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20370588
10CDC.gov/obesity/php/data-research/adult-obesity-facts.html
11My.ClevelandClinic.org/health/diseases/11209-weight-control-and-obesity
12Diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes
13Diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-2
14CDC.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/index.html
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