Death rates for coronary heart disease and stroke have declined. Significant advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and in reducing unintentional injuries. But we still have a long way to go. Diabetes and other chronic conditions continue to present a serious obstacle to public health. Violence and abusive behavior continue to ravage homes and communities across the country.
Mental disorders continue to go undiagnosed and untreated.
Obesity in adults has increased 50 percent over the past two decades. Nearly 40 percent of adults engage in no leisure time physical activity. Smoking among adolescents has increased in the past decade. Although the report covers many areas there are several in particular that I would like to discuss herein. At the beginning of the 20th century, life expectancy at birth was 47.3 years, and it now is 77 years.