The Five Key Health Behaviors That Reduce Chronic Disease

In a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently published in Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research, Practice, and Policy, it was found that there are a number of health-related behaviors that can lower the risk of chronic diseases.

According to the CDC study, chronic diseases such as stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are among the most common and costly health problems in the United States. Approximately 117 million people in the United States had at least one chronic health condition in 2012. In 2010, more than 83 percent of healthcare spending in the United States was for people with at least one chronic health condition, with heart disease and stroke alone costing $315.4 billion.

The data included almost 400,000 adults aged 21 and older, and the researchers analyzed what proportion of these individuals adhered to five health behaviors known to reduce the risk of death from chronic disease.
The five key health behaviors are:

• Not smoking
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding alcohol consumption or only drinking in moderation
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Getting a sufficient amount of sleep

The information gathered from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) included information from almost 400,000 adults aged 21 and older. This study is important for health care and claim professionals to consider for optimal recovery and financial funding of patients with serious occurrences, conditions or diseases.

For more information from the BRFSS, please click here >>

By Robert J. Blackburn, Managing Principal, Blackburn Group, Inc., contact him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..