Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are
leading causes of death and disability among Alaska's population.
- The burden of chronic disease is high for those who have them and is manifested in pain, suffering, disabilities, and death.
- The impact of chronic disease to society has been demonstrated by looking at the increase in public and private expenditures.
In 2013, cancer was the leading cause of death in Alaska accounting for 25.3% of all deaths,
followed closely by heart disease deaths at 17.6%.1
According to the data from the Alaska's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 20142:
According to the data from the Alaska's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 20142:
- 29.0% of adults ages 18 and over had been diagnosed by a doctor with arthritis.
- 8.4% of participants currently had asthma.
- 9.2% were told that they had diabetes.
- Approximately two-thirds (65.8%) of survey participants were either overweight or obese.
Research suggests that in addition to individual biology, lifestyle behaviors play an integral part in chronic
illness in a population. According the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2014,3 risk factors for
chronic illness include:
- tobacco use
- harmful use of alcohol
- raised blood pressure (or hypertension)
- raised cholesterol
- overweight/obesity
- unhealthy diet
- raised blood glucose
3.
World Health Organization, Global status report on noncummunicable diseases 2014. Downloaded 12/31/2015
Research has shown that chronic disease risk reduction can be addressed through evidence-based
strategies that promote healthy lifestyles based on non-smoking, good nutrition, regular physical
activity, acceptable BMI, and low/moderate alcohol intake. Preventive care practices, timely
affective care and appropriate disease management have been shown to be effective in reducing
the incidence and progression of various chronic conditions. In addition to reducing behavioral
risk factors, the impact of environmental and occupational risk factors should also be explored.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services tracks chronic diseases through:
- Alcohol: Alcohol-Induced Mortality Rate
- Arthritis Prevalence - Adults (18+)
- Asthma - Adults (18+) - Current Asthma
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
- Blood Cholesterol: Doctor-diagnosed High blood Cholesterol - Adults (M 35+/F 45+)
- Blood Pressure: Doctor-diagnosed Hiigh Blood Pressure - Adults (18+)
- Cardiovascular Disease: Heart Disease Mortality Rate
- Cardiovascular Disease: Stroke Mortality Rate
- Diabetes: Diagnosed Prevalence
- Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes
- Diabetes: Prediabetes
- Obesity: Adolescents (Grades 9-12) Prevalence
- Obesity: Adults (18+) Prevalence
- Obesity: Children (Grades K-8) Prevalence
These links will take you to modify the query criteria.
- BRFSS - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System - Selection Menu
- PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) - Selection Menu
BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) - Examples
Arthritis
- Arthritis - prevalence
- Arthritis - Adults (18-64) with arthritis who are employed
- Arthritis - activity limitation
- Arthritis - social activity limitation
Asthma
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- CVD - diseases of the circulatory system
- CVD - cardiovascular disease
- CVD - heart attack
- CVD - coronary heart disease
- CVD - stroke
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Kidney Disease
Mental Health
- Anxiety - prevalence
- Cognitive impairment - prevalence
- Depression - prevalence
- Serious psychlogical distress - prevalence