A new state study reveals that chronic diseases that often result from unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors cause 70 percent of all deaths in Oregon. Many of these deaths are preventable. The study says half of Oregon deaths resulting from heart and lung disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes can be attributed to such behaviors as smoking, poor diet, inadequate exercise and lack of preventive health services. However, we can reduce these costs by developing policies and programs that support healthy behaviors in worksites, schools, and other community settings. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is Oregon's number one killer.
Breast cancer is the most frequently reported cancer.
There were 3,017 new cases and 487 deaths in 1997. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, killing 2,038 Oregonians in 1997. Chronic lung diseases, including emphysema, bronchitis and asthma, are now the fourth leading cause of death. More than 115,000 Oregonians have been diagnosed with diabetes. An estimated additional 60,000 have undiagnosed diabetes.