chronic disease causes
Chronic diseases and conditionsâsuch as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arthritisâare among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems.1  As of 2012, about half of all adultsâ117 million peopleâhad one or more chronic health conditions. Seven of the top 10 causes of death in 2010 were chronic diseases. 2  Two of these chronic diseasesâheart disease and cancerâtogether accounted for nearly 48% of all deaths. 3  Obesity is a serious health concern.