Overweight and Obesity Overweight and obesity raise the risk of illness from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances and problems breathing, and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Obese individuals may also suffer from social stigmatization, discrimination, and lowered self-esteem. Promote good nutrition and healthier weights. Tobacco Use Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Smoking results in more deaths each year in the United States than AIDS, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, homicide, suicide, motor vehicle crashes, and fires - combined.
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases.
Smoking during pregnancy can result in miscarriages, premature delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome. ETS is responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year among adult nonsmokers. Prevent and reduce tobacco use. Alcohol and illicit drug use also can result in substantial disruptions in family, work, and personal life. Prevent and reduce substance abuse.