Two children running hand in hand along a sunlit street

Chronic disease connects all of us

Chronic disease affects a majority of Americans across all ages, backgrounds, and communities.

We’re changing that by bringing prevention into everyday life.

Chronic disease takes many forms

Chronic disease encompasses a wide range of long-term health conditions that affect people of every age and background.

Chronic Respiratory Disease Endometriosis Asthma Long COVID Neurodegenerative Disease Diabetic Retinopathy Obesity Crohn’s Disease Chronic Respiratory Disease Endometriosis Asthma Long COVID Neurodegenerative Disease Diabetic Retinopathy Obesity Crohn’s Disease Chronic Respiratory Disease Endometriosis Asthma Long COVID Neurodegenerative Disease Diabetic Retinopathy Obesity Crohn’s Disease Chronic Respiratory Disease Endometriosis Asthma Long COVID Neurodegenerative Disease Diabetic Retinopathy Obesity Crohn’s Disease Autoimmune Disease Diabetes Parkinson’s Disease Arthritis Chronic Kidney Disease Glaucoma Psoriasis Thyroid Disease Anxiety Autoimmune Disease Diabetes Parkinson’s Disease Arthritis Chronic Kidney Disease Glaucoma Psoriasis Thyroid Disease Anxiety Autoimmune Disease Diabetes Parkinson’s Disease Arthritis Chronic Kidney Disease Glaucoma Psoriasis Thyroid Disease Anxiety Autoimmune Disease Diabetes Parkinson’s Disease Arthritis Chronic Kidney Disease Glaucoma Psoriasis Thyroid Disease Anxiety Dementia Multiple Sclerosis Heart Disease COPD Macular Degeneration Ulcerative Colitis Chronic Liver Disease PMOS Mental Health Conditions Dementia Multiple Sclerosis Heart Disease COPD Macular Degeneration Ulcerative Colitis Chronic Liver Disease PMOS Mental Health Conditions Dementia Multiple Sclerosis Heart Disease COPD Macular Degeneration Ulcerative Colitis Chronic Liver Disease PMOS Mental Health Conditions Dementia Multiple Sclerosis Heart Disease COPD Macular Degeneration Ulcerative Colitis Chronic Liver Disease PMOS Mental Health Conditions Cardiovascular Disease Celiac Disease Migraine Cancer Myopia Depression Osteoporosis Hypertension Lupus Cardiovascular Disease Celiac Disease Migraine Cancer Myopia Depression Osteoporosis Hypertension Lupus Cardiovascular Disease Celiac Disease Migraine Cancer Myopia Depression Osteoporosis Hypertension Lupus Cardiovascular Disease Celiac Disease Migraine Cancer Myopia Depression Osteoporosis Hypertension Lupus
and many more…

Chronic disease now affects most adults at every stage of life

Chronic disease affects Americans across the lifespan. While trends differ by disease, the burden of many chronic conditions has grown substantially over time.

194M+

76% of U.S. adults reported at least one of 12 selected chronic conditions in 2023.

CDC, 2025

Across the lifespan
Ages 18–34
60%
Ages 35–64
78%
Ages 65+
93%

U.S. adults reporting at least one of 12 selected chronic conditions, 2023. CDC.

Chronic conditions are increasingly common among younger adults

Among U.S. adults ages 18–34, the share reporting at least one selected chronic condition rose from 53% in 2013 to 60% in 2023.

Share of adults ages 18–34 reporting chronic conditions
2013–2023
53% 22% 60% At least one selected chronic condition 27% Multiple selected chronic conditions Chronic conditions reported 2013 At least one condition 53% Two or more conditions 22% Chronic conditions reported 2015 At least one condition 52% Two or more conditions 21% Chronic conditions reported 2017 At least one condition 53% Two or more conditions 22% Chronic conditions reported 2019 At least one condition 55% Two or more conditions 24% Chronic conditions reported 2021 At least one condition 58% Two or more conditions 26% Chronic conditions reported 2023 At least one condition 60% Two or more conditions 27% 201320152017201920212023

Odd survey years only, as published. Population prevalence estimates across survey years, not the same individuals followed over time. CDC analysis of 12 selected chronic conditions among U.S. adults ages 18–34: asthma, arthritis, cancer excluding skin cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and stroke. CDC found the increase was substantially influenced by increases in obesity and depression. CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013–2023.

Chronic disease drives the majority of America’s health care spending

90%

of the nation’s $5.3 trillion in annual health care spending goes toward caring for people with chronic and mental health conditions.

CDC, Health and Economic Costs of Chronic Conditions, 2026

A stained histology section of skin showing layered tissue, follicles and connective structure

Our daily lives shape our health

Our health is shaped over time by many factors, including genetics, our daily habits, our experiences and relationships, the environments where we live, learn, work, and play, and our access to quality care.

No single factor explains chronic disease. But understanding the many influences on health can reveal opportunities for prevention throughout everyday life.

Ten factors that influence health

Nutrition
Movement &
muscle
Time outside
Sleep
Stress &
emotional
well-being
Social
connection
Screen use &
digital wellness
Neighborhoods
& communities
Environmental
exposures
Preventive care
& access
A closer look at three everyday factors
Nutrition
2 in 3

of calories consumed by U.S. children and teens came from ultra-processed foods.1

67% in 2017–2018, up from 61% in 1999–2000.

CDC, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; JAMA, 2021

Movement
3 in 4

of U.S. high school students did not get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day.2

75% in 2023.

CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023

Screen use
8+ hours

U.S. teens ages 13–18 averaged more than eight hours a day of entertainment screen use.3

8 hrs 39 min per day among ages 13–18, 2021.

Common Sense Media, 2021

1 Nationally representative analysis of U.S. children and adolescents ages 2–19.

2 25% of U.S. high school students reported being physically active for at least 60 minutes on all 7 days before the survey.

3 Excludes screen use for school and homework.

Prevention creates possibility

Chronic disease is complex. Genetics can play a role, but many other factors also contribute to health and disease over time. That creates meaningful opportunities for prevention throughout our lives.

Prevention matters at every stage of health, including after a diagnosis. It can mean reducing the risk of disease before it develops, identifying risks or disease earlier, delaying the onset or progression of disease, and reducing complications or improving health for people already living with chronic conditions. Prevention also extends beyond individual choices. The environments around us, the institutions we interact with, and our access to quality care can all help make healthier lives more possible.

Two children running through a summer meadow

Turning prevention into action

We educate people about prevention, advocate for changes that support healthier lives, and inspire people and communities to take what we know and put it into action.

Explore Our Work
Educate
We make prevention understandable
Advocate
We build prevention into everyday life
Inspire
We inspire people to live well and lead change