The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 60% of adults in the United States have a chronic disease, while 40% have two or more chronic diseases [1]. Although common and costly, many chronic diseases are also preventable. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Fortunately, many chronic diseases are preventable through lifestyle choices or early detection and management of risk factors.
Here are some of the most common preventable chronic conditions and how regular screenings can help prevent them or enable early detection that can prevent disease progression and costly health outcomes.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a group of diseases that affects the heart and blood vessels. The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that approximately 82.6 million people in the United States have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [2]. This makes CVD a leading cause of death for both men and women.
Routine heart health screenings are an important part of preventive healthcare. The sooner a cardiovascular disease is detected, the easier it is to treat. Regular screenings can help individuals monitor their heart health and manage their health proactively. Blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight/BMI, and blood sugar level screening can all aid in monitoring heart health and preventing or managing cardiovascular disease.
Cancer
Cancer can be a chronic or ongoing illness, much like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Individuals with metastatic colon cancer are increasingly viewed as having a chronic disease. Metastatic colon cancer, also known as advanced colon cancer or stage IV colon cancer, means that the cancer cells have spread beyond the colon to other organs. At stage IV, colon cancer is more challenging to treat and has a higher mortality rate.
Regular screening is crucial because the early stages of colon cancer usually present no symptoms. Engaging in screening can help detect precancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. When found early, colon cancer is highly treatable.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. While 10% of Americans have diabetes, about 20% of people with diabetes don't know they have it [3].
Diabetes can cause an array of complications, so early diagnosis is critical. Screening asymptomatic adults for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can enable earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment, and ultimately improve health outcomes.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in the United States, as many as 90% of people with CKD do not know they have it [4]. This disease is characterized by progressive damage and loss of kidney function. As kidney loss is permanent, early identification is critical to controlling the progression of damage.
CKD is usually asymptomatic through stages 1-3, so screening is key. Screening tests can help monitor CKD or enable earlier CKD diagnosis and intervention to improve clinical outcomes. Early detection of CKD allows proper management that could slow down CKD progression, prevent cardiovascular and other comorbidities and enable timely initiation of dialysis.
How LetsGetChecked can help address chronic disease in the United States
Chronic diseases present an enormous financial and societal burden on the United States. This public health issue is expected to worsen over the next several decades among all age groups. Addressing chronic diseases requires new strategies to delay health deterioration, improve function, and address the challenges people face in accessing quality care.
LetsGetChecked is committed to meeting people where they are with the care they need, to manage or prevent chronic conditions. Our at-home healthcare solutions enable individuals to monitor their health and catch problems early so they can live healthier, happier lives.
