Women and chronic diseases: Prevention and wellness across the lifespan

Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the top three chronic diseases accounting for over half the deaths among women in the United States. In addition, the morbidity and disability ensuing from chronic diseases place a heavy burden on individuals, families, communities and the healthcare system. In the United States, more than two-thirds of the spending on health care is directed towards people with chronic conditions. Lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use and alcohol abuse are four modifiable risk factors that are implicated in the occurrence of several chronic diseases including the leading three causes of death. These major risk factors, along with their negative health outcomes, continue to place an increasing burden on the United States healthcare system. With women living longer, and in the absence of a permanent cure for most chronic conditions, it is expected that their prevalence among women will further increase and the ensuing need for care will pose additional challenges. Furthermore, gender inequities in access to care and its utilization adversely impact women, particularly those who are already socially and economically disadvantaged. To counteract the increasing burden of illness, disability and death among women due to chronic diseases, evidence-based interventions that reduce or eliminate the modifiable risk factors are essential. Using empirical data, this paper presents how appropriate and effective prevention strategies can be applied through the lifespan of women to curb chronic diseases and their impact thereby leading to better health and wellbeing.