America's 3 Big Health Problems

There's both good and bad news in the United Health Foundation's annual report. Unfortunately, millions of Americans live with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. We've also reached a new national high. Obesity increased 15% between 2011 and 2019 and now affects more than 70.4 million adults.

But the good news is that many of our health problems are preventable or treatable. The percentage of adults with three or more chronic conditions declined between 2018 and 2019. More people are also getting the flu and HPV vaccinations than ever before.

However, we still have work to do when it comes to living healthier lifestyles. Here are three areas of our lives we could improve right now.

Mental Health

The 2020 report uncovered that poor mental health increased by 11%. That means nearly 1.3 million American adults are in mental health distress. Suicides had also spiked 23% from 2009 to 2018. Luckily, more people also sought help, whether through counseling, medication or other therapies. If you feel hopeless, call your provider right away, visit the ER or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Smoking

Though numbers are declining overall, nearly 16% of the population still smokes. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease and contributes to 480,000 deaths annually. It also reduces smokers' lifespans by a decade, on average. More than 16 million Americans have ailments caused by smoking, such as heart disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes or cancer. However, one year after quitting smoking, you'll reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by 50%. It will also save money. At $6.96 per pack on average, it will cost you over $2,500 annually to be a pack-a-day smoker.

Sugar

Many Americans overeat, and part of that includes sugar intake. High sugar consumption leads to obesity and related health problems such as diabetes and long-term organ damage. Your primary care doctor can be the first line of defense in the fight against diabetes. It's essential to have regular screenings and track your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, talk with your doctor about healthy ways to meet your blood sugar goals. Drinking one 16-ounce bottle of soda per day adds up to 10 pounds of extra body weight. If you go through a pint of ice cream every week, quitting will reduce your yearly calorie intake by more than 27,000 calories.

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