In the United States, 75% of health care dollars go to treatment of chronic disease. These persistent conditions are the nation’s leading cause of death and disability and these chronic diseases leave in their wake, deaths that could have been prevented, lifelong disability that could have been avoided, and an overall compromised quality of life! In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that health care costs are escalating, and 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases. So, although many fear epidemics such as H1N1, SARS or Ebola—the reality is most deaths occur due to chronic health issues.

Chronic Diseases are often preventable and frequently manageable. In fact, many chronic diseases could be prevented, delayed, or alleviated, through simple lifestyle changes. The CDC estimates that eliminating three risk factors – poor diet, inactivity, and smoking – would prevent 80% of heart disease and stroke; 80% of type 2 diabetes; and 40% of cancer.

So let’s make a lifestyle adjustment. Today, adjust your foundation and your thinking. Eliminate these 3 risk factors: poor diet, inactivity and smoking and eliminate chronic disease in our lives!