Skip Navigation Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Adult and Community Health
Home|Contact Us

Adult & Community Health
Aging
Arthritis
BRFSS
Cardiovascular Health
Epilepsy
Health-Related Quality of Life
Prevention Research Centers


Splash Graphic: Adult and Community Health - Image of several snapshots featuring a diverse group of people and a magnifying glass resting nearby.
Aging

CDC has established national, state-based programs targeting cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, injuries, and immunization. CDC’s unique expertise can be readily applied to target the health needs of older Americans by providing public health leadership and coordination, by enhancing surveillance, and by putting research to work for older Americans.

Learn more about CDC's Healthy Aging Efforts


Arthritis

Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions currently affect nearly 43 million Americans, or about one of every five people. As the nation's population ages, arthritis is expected to affect 67 million people by 2030. The leading cause of disability in the United States, arthritis is estimated to cost almost $86.2 billion annually in medical care and lost productivity. Although prevailing myths have portrayed arthritis as an inevitable part of aging that can only be endured, effective interventions are available to prevent or reduce arthritis-related pain and disability.

Learn more about CDC's Arthritis Efforts


BRFSS:
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

The BRFSS, the world’s largest telephone survey, tracks health risks in the United States. Information from the survey is used to improve the health of the American people.

Learn more about the BRFSS


Cardiovascular Health

Killing almost one million Americans each year, cardiovascular disease—primarily heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke—are the leading causes of death in men and women across all racial/ethnic groups in the United States. These diseases account for nearly 40% of all deaths. Deaths are only part of the picture.

More than 64 million, almost 25% of the population, live with cardiovascular disease. In 2004, cardiovascular disease will cost the nation more than $368 billion in healthcare expenditures and lost productivity. The costs are growing as the population ages, as are two of the major CVH risk factors, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

Key strategies for addressing the burden are controlling high blood pressure, managing high blood cholesterol, improving emergency response, knowing signs and symptoms, improving the quality of care, and eliminating disparities.

Learn more about CDC's Cardiovascular Health Efforts


Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition affecting about 2.3 million Americans. Approximately 181,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy and seizures each year. For the vast majority of epilepsy cases, no single cause has been determined.

Learn more about CDC's Epilepsy Efforts


Health-Related Quality of Life Surveillance

In public health and medicine, the concept of health-related quality of life refers to a person's or group's perceived physical and mental health over time. Tracking health-related quality of life in different populations can identify subgroups with poor physical or mental health and can help guide policies or interventions to improve their health.

Learn more about CDC's Health-Related Quality of Life Efforts


Prevention Research Centers

Prevention Research Centers strive to improve health promotion and disease prevention efforts by focusing on high-priority public health issues, bridging gaps between scientific knowledge and public health practice, applying and rapidly transferring research results, and enhancing cooperation between academic institutions and state and local health departments.

Learn more about the Prevention Research Centers

 


Privacy Policy | Accessibility

Home | Contact Us

CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed May 17, 2006

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Adult and Community Health