Most of the risk behaviors associated with chronic diseases and injury can be changed through more effective state and local public health programs, more encouragement from health practitioners for their patients to reduce harmful behaviors and adopt healthier ones, more counseling on preventive measures from public and private health care facilities and insurers, and more convenient ways to access preventive services. States can use these new data to develop and evaluate programs to reduce the health risks of all racial and ethnic groups. Identifying and tracking health gaps between racial and ethnic groups and state by state are important in part because of predictions that the minority population in the U.S. is predicted to increase. By 2050, racial and ethnic minorities will account for nearly half of the U.S. population.
Obesity can contribute to coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Hispanic women were less likely to have had a recent mammogram and clinical breast exam at the recommended time interval than black women or white women. Percentages for black and white women were very similar. Mammography is the best available method to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. Among all groups, American Indians or Alaska Natives were most likely to report cigarette smoking. Smoking can cause chronic lung disease, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke and is also associated with increased infant mortality.