RESEARCH STARTER

Chronic disease

Chronic diseases are long-lasting health conditions that persist for three months or more and typically require ongoing management. These diseases, which include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer, often have no cure and can significantly affect an individual's quality of life, leading to disability or premature death. The World Health Organization indicates that chronic diseases are a leading cause of global mortality, accounting for approximately 38 million deaths annually. Risk factors for developing chronic diseases include an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, and socioeconomic factors such as income level, which can influence access to healthcare and nutritious food.

Chronic diseases can manifest at any age, but their prevalence increases with age. Many individuals may not exhibit traditional risk factors, as genetics and environmental factors can also play significant roles in the development of these conditions. While managing chronic diseases can be challenging, individuals are encouraged to engage in healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise, to reduce their risk. Educational programs, like Stanford's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, offer support and strategies for effective disease management, empowering individuals with knowledge and resources to improve their health outcomes.

Full Article

A chronic disease is a disease that lasts for an extended period, typically three months or more. Chronic diseases usually have no cure, so long-term care and management are often necessary. Chronic diseases may result in premature death or disability. Chronic diseases may affect an individual’s quality of life and their social, emotional, and economic well-being. Common chronic diseases include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. The most common risk factors for developing a chronic disease include an unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol use, and obesity. However, people can develop chronic conditions even if their lifestyle is healthy, and it should not be assumed that any given person with a chronic illness must have developed it due to unhealthy behaviors. Certain chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol, can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that chronic diseases are the major cause of disability and death around the world, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2024, five of the six leading causes of death in the United States were chronic diseases: cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

Background

Chronic diseases are also known as noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, because they cannot be passed from one person to another through air, in water, or by physical contact. Unlike viruses or bacterial infections, chronic diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or cured with an antibiotic, and they will not simply go away over time. Chronic diseases may present themselves at any age, from birth to old age, but they may tend to develop as people get older. According to a study by the RAND Corporation, by 2014 about 60 percent of the adult population of the United States had been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition, and 42 percent had more than one. A 2025 study analyzing data from 2013 to 2023 found that 76.4 percent of US adults have one or more chronic conditions. In the United States, chronic diseases were also reported to account for 8 of the 10 leading causes of death.

Some of the primary factors that can contribute to developing a chronic disease include an unhealthy diet (including too much sugar, fat, and salt), a lack of exercise, tobacco use, and alcohol use disorder (such as overconsumption of alcohol and binge drinking). These factors can cause people to develop chronic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood glucose (sugar), all of which can contribute to the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Income also plays a role. People living in poverty are at a higher risk of having a chronic disease or condition. Such individuals are likely to have less access to healthcare, poorer nutritional options, and higher levels of stress. About 82 percent of chronic disease deaths before the age of seventy occur in low- and middle-income areas, according to WHO.

Other factors that may increase the likelihood of developing a chronic illness are air pollution, low birth weight, age, and heredity.

Overview

As per the CDC, in the United States, about 1.8 million people die of chronic diseases annually. Four chronic disease groups, in particular, account for more than 80 percent of all chronic disease deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading killer, followed by cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Cardiovascular, or heart, diseases affect the body’s heart and vascular system, which circulates blood throughout the body in arteries and veins. Cardiovascular diseases and conditions include coronary artery disease (a build-up of plaque in artery walls), arrhythmias (heart rhythm disturbances), congenital heart disease (an abnormality in the heart at birth), and hypertension (high blood pressure). Cardiovascular diseases can lead to serious, and sometimes fatal, events including heart attacks and strokes.

Cancers can affect any organ in the body. They result from abnormal cell growth and can spread to other parts of the body if left unchecked. More than two hundred types of cancer exist. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the United States, followed by colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.

Chronic respiratory diseases affect the airway and lungs. Examples of chronic respiratory diseases include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that may be triggered by allergens or other factors that cause the airways to swell and can make it difficult to breathe. By 2022, the CDC estimated that about 8.2 percent of the population had asthma. COPD is caused by inflammation of the lungs brought on by exposure to a noxious agent, such as smoke. As a result, people with COPD have limited airflow.

Diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce insulin (known as type 1 diabetes) or the body’s failure to use insulin properly (type 2 diabetes). Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults but can also occur in adults. This condition must be treated with daily insulin injections to help the body maintain proper blood glucose (sugar) levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels rise higher than they should (hyperglycemia). Healthy eating, exercise, medications, and/or insulin injections may be used to control type 2 diabetes.

For many, diagnosis with a chronic disease may mean deteriorating health and a loss of independence. However, many chronic diseases can be managed through medications and regular doctor visits. Patients should educate themselves about their disease to ensure they understand the risk factors, management, and treatment options. They should communicate openly and honestly with their healthcare professionals regarding all of their symptoms. They should be sure to take medications as prescribed. Some may benefit from enrollment in a workshop designed to teach them chronic disease self-management techniques. Such workshops provide support for people with chronic diseases and teach them about healthy eating, exercise, and proper use of medications. One of the most well-known workshops is Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP).

It is critical to be aware that dedication to a healthy eating plan can help to prevent many chronic diseases and chronic conditions that can contribute to disease development, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, a variety of proteins, and healthy fats such as those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Excess sugar, salt, and trans fat should be avoided. A daily regimen of physical activity also decreases a person’s likelihood of developing a chronic disease and is an excellent way to promote overall good health and well-being. CDC has also expanded national programs aimed at preventing and managing chronic diseases through community-based initiatives and public health funding.


Bibliography

“About Chronic Diseases.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 Oct. 2024, www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Asthma.” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Chronic Conditions in America: Price and Prevalence.” RAND Corporation, 12 July 2017, www.rand.org/blog/rand-review/2017/07/chronic-conditions-in-america-price-and-prevalence.html. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Chronic Disease Overview.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Diabetes Basics.” American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Narayan, Venkat K.M., and Christine Laine. “Health Basics: Chronic Disease.” National Academy of Medicine, 24 Sept. 2025, nam.edu/product/health-basics-chronic-disease/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Noncommunicable Diseases.” World Health Organization, Sept. 2025, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Raghupathi, Wullianallur, and Viju Raghupathi. “An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Visual Analytics Approach to Public Health.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 15, no. 3, 2018, pp. 431–54.

Watson KB, et al. “Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, By Life Stage, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013-2025.” Preventing Chronic Disease, vol. 22, 2025, www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2025/24_0539.htm. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Watson, Stephanie. “Top 5 Deadliest Cancers.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/cancer/features/top-cancer-killers#1. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Wedro, Benjamin. “Heart Disease (Cardiovascular Disease, CVD).” MedicineNet, www.medicinenet.com/heart_disease_coronary_artery_disease/article.htm. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Full Article

A chronic disease is a disease that lasts for an extended period, typically three months or more. Chronic diseases usually have no cure, so long-term care and management are often necessary. Chronic diseases may result in premature death or disability. Chronic diseases may affect an individual’s quality of life and their social, emotional, and economic well-being. Common chronic diseases include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. The most common risk factors for developing a chronic disease include an unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol use, and obesity. However, people can develop chronic conditions even if their lifestyle is healthy, and it should not be assumed that any given person with a chronic illness must have developed it due to unhealthy behaviors. Certain chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol, can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that chronic diseases are the major cause of disability and death around the world, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2024, five of the six leading causes of death in the United States were chronic diseases: cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.

Background

Chronic diseases are also known as noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, because they cannot be passed from one person to another through air, in water, or by physical contact. Unlike viruses or bacterial infections, chronic diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or cured with an antibiotic, and they will not simply go away over time. Chronic diseases may present themselves at any age, from birth to old age, but they may tend to develop as people get older. According to a study by the RAND Corporation, by 2014 about 60 percent of the adult population of the United States had been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition, and 42 percent had more than one. A 2025 study analyzing data from 2013 to 2023 found that 76.4 percent of US adults have one or more chronic conditions. In the United States, chronic diseases were also reported to account for 8 of the 10 leading causes of death.

Some of the primary factors that can contribute to developing a chronic disease include an unhealthy diet (including too much sugar, fat, and salt), a lack of exercise, tobacco use, and alcohol use disorder (such as overconsumption of alcohol and binge drinking). These factors can cause people to develop chronic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood glucose (sugar), all of which can contribute to the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Income also plays a role. People living in poverty are at a higher risk of having a chronic disease or condition. Such individuals are likely to have less access to healthcare, poorer nutritional options, and higher levels of stress. About 82 percent of chronic disease deaths before the age of seventy occur in low- and middle-income areas, according to WHO.

Other factors that may increase the likelihood of developing a chronic illness are air pollution, low birth weight, age, and heredity.

Overview

As per the CDC, in the United States, about 1.8 million people die of chronic diseases annually. Four chronic disease groups, in particular, account for more than 80 percent of all chronic disease deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading killer, followed by cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Cardiovascular, or heart, diseases affect the body’s heart and vascular system, which circulates blood throughout the body in arteries and veins. Cardiovascular diseases and conditions include coronary artery disease (a build-up of plaque in artery walls), arrhythmias (heart rhythm disturbances), congenital heart disease (an abnormality in the heart at birth), and hypertension (high blood pressure). Cardiovascular diseases can lead to serious, and sometimes fatal, events including heart attacks and strokes.

Cancers can affect any organ in the body. They result from abnormal cell growth and can spread to other parts of the body if left unchecked. More than two hundred types of cancer exist. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the United States, followed by colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.

Chronic respiratory diseases affect the airway and lungs. Examples of chronic respiratory diseases include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that may be triggered by allergens or other factors that cause the airways to swell and can make it difficult to breathe. By 2022, the CDC estimated that about 8.2 percent of the population had asthma. COPD is caused by inflammation of the lungs brought on by exposure to a noxious agent, such as smoke. As a result, people with COPD have limited airflow.

Diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce insulin (known as type 1 diabetes) or the body’s failure to use insulin properly (type 2 diabetes). Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults but can also occur in adults. This condition must be treated with daily insulin injections to help the body maintain proper blood glucose (sugar) levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels rise higher than they should (hyperglycemia). Healthy eating, exercise, medications, and/or insulin injections may be used to control type 2 diabetes.

For many, diagnosis with a chronic disease may mean deteriorating health and a loss of independence. However, many chronic diseases can be managed through medications and regular doctor visits. Patients should educate themselves about their disease to ensure they understand the risk factors, management, and treatment options. They should communicate openly and honestly with their healthcare professionals regarding all of their symptoms. They should be sure to take medications as prescribed. Some may benefit from enrollment in a workshop designed to teach them chronic disease self-management techniques. Such workshops provide support for people with chronic diseases and teach them about healthy eating, exercise, and proper use of medications. One of the most well-known workshops is Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP).

It is critical to be aware that dedication to a healthy eating plan can help to prevent many chronic diseases and chronic conditions that can contribute to disease development, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, a variety of proteins, and healthy fats such as those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Excess sugar, salt, and trans fat should be avoided. A daily regimen of physical activity also decreases a person’s likelihood of developing a chronic disease and is an excellent way to promote overall good health and well-being. CDC has also expanded national programs aimed at preventing and managing chronic diseases through community-based initiatives and public health funding.


Bibliography

“About Chronic Diseases.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4 Oct. 2024, www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Asthma.” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Chronic Conditions in America: Price and Prevalence.” RAND Corporation, 12 July 2017, www.rand.org/blog/rand-review/2017/07/chronic-conditions-in-america-price-and-prevalence.html. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Chronic Disease Overview.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Diabetes Basics.” American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Narayan, Venkat K.M., and Christine Laine. “Health Basics: Chronic Disease.” National Academy of Medicine, 24 Sept. 2025, nam.edu/product/health-basics-chronic-disease/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

“Noncommunicable Diseases.” World Health Organization, Sept. 2025, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Raghupathi, Wullianallur, and Viju Raghupathi. “An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Visual Analytics Approach to Public Health.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 15, no. 3, 2018, pp. 431–54.

Watson KB, et al. “Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, By Life Stage, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013-2025.” Preventing Chronic Disease, vol. 22, 2025, www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2025/24_0539.htm. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Watson, Stephanie. “Top 5 Deadliest Cancers.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/cancer/features/top-cancer-killers#1. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

Wedro, Benjamin. “Heart Disease (Cardiovascular Disease, CVD).” MedicineNet, www.medicinenet.com/heart_disease_coronary_artery_disease/article.htm. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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