In a recent survey, about 1 in 3 Greenfield residents had been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and 1 in 4 had high cholesterol. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, are among the most prevalent, costly, and preventable of all diseases.
Specifically in Greenfield, cancers and cardiac-related diseases are at the top of the list for causes of death.
Risk factors for these diseases include:
Excess alcohol use
Insufficient physical activity
Tobacco use or exposure to second hand smoke
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high blood sugar due to a lack of insulin production. Steps can be taken to control this disease and lower the risk for complications. Diet, insulin, and oral medication are methods of lowering blood glucose and controlling diabetes.
High cholesterol affects over 65 million Americans every year. The higher your cholesterol level, the greater risk you have of getting heart disease.
In a recent survey, 10% of Greenfield residents had asthma. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult for millions of Americans every year. Although it is not curable, individuals with asthma can be treated.
By being informed and getting screened on a regular basis, individuals can be effective in preventing or controlling cancer.