Most people can prevent chronic conditions by avoiding the key risk factors such as tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use and getting good preventative care. Doing these things can improve your chance of staying well, feeling good, and living longer.
Prevention steps and strategies:
Quit Smoking
Stopping smoking (or never starting) lowers the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and lung disease, as well as premature death—even for longtime smokers. Take the first step and call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for FREE support.
Quit Smoking
Tips From Former Smokers
Eat Healthy
Eating healthy helps prevent, delay, and manage heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. A balanced, healthy dietary pattern includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products and limits added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
ChooseMyPlate.gov
How to Have Healthier Meals and Snacks
Get Regular Physical Activity
Regular physical activity can help you prevent, delay, or manage chronic diseases. Aim for moderate intensity physical activity (like brisk walking or gardening) for at least 150 minutes a week, with muscle-strengthening activities 2 days a week.
Physical Activity and Health
Adding Physical Activity to Your Life
Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight
Limit Alcohol
Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, various cancers, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease. By not drinking too much, you can reduce these health risks.
Alcohol Use and Your Health
Check your alcohol use and make a customized plan for drinking less.
Get Screened
To prevent chronic diseases or catch them early, visit your doctor and dentist regularly for preventive services.
Cancer Screening Tests
Prediabetes and Diabetes Testing
Take Care of Your Teeth
Oral diseases—which range from cavities and gum disease to oral cancer—cause pain and disability for millions of Americans. To help prevent these problems, drink fluoridated water, brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and floss daily. Visit your dentist at least once a year, even if you have no natural teeth or have dentures.
More Oral Health Tips
Get Enough Sleep
Insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and poor management of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. Adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep daily.
Basics About Sleep
Know Your Family History
If you have a family history of a chronic disease, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis, you may be more likely to develop that disease yourself. Share your family health history with your doctor, who can help you take steps to prevent these conditions or catch them early.
Know and Act on Your Family Health History
Be Proactive with Your Health
Join a proven community workshop to learn strategies to help you prevent developing or worsening chronic conditions. PPHD offers the National Diabetes Prevention Program which has been proven to prevent type 2 diabetes. Keep scrolling to learn more.
National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in the Panhandle
