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Education Topics Adolescents and Teens Chronic Diseases Environmental Health Food borne Illness Infants and Children Injury Men's Health Occupational Health Senior Health Traveler Health Women's Health	Chronic Diseases § Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects more the 4 million Americans; this number is expected to more than double by 2040. This disease and related dementias are now the leading cause of long-term care needs. In 1995, costs for Alzheimer's disease exceeded $152 billion. More information on Alzheimer § Arthritis Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions currently affect nearly 43 million Americans, or about one of every six people. As the nation's population ages, arthritis is expected to affect 60 million people by 2020. The leading cause of disability in the United States, arthritis is estimated to cost almost $65 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. More information on Arthritis § Cancer The second leading cause of death among Americans, cancer will cause an estimated 550,000 U.S. deaths this year. The American Cancer Society estimates that 8.4 million Americans alive today have a history of cancer; in 2000, an estimated 1.2 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed, together with an estimated 1.3 million new cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer and numerous new cases of preinvasive cancer. Cancer costs this nation an estimated $107 billion annually in health care expenditures and lost productivity. Reducing cancer burden means addressing behavioral and environmental factors that increase cancer risk and making screening services available and accessible for detecting cancer in its early, most treatable stages. More information on Cancer § Cardiovascular Disease Killing almost a million Americans each year, cardiovascular disease-principally high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke-is the leading cause of death among both men and women, and across all racial and ethnic groups. About 58 million Americans live with some form of the disease. In 1999 alone, cardiovascular disease cost the nation an estimated $287 billion in health care expenditures and lost productivity, and this burden is growing as the population ages. A limited number of health-related behaviors-most notably tobacco use, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition-are responsible for much of the burden of cardiovascular disease. More information on Cardiovascular Disease § Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, responsible for more than 100,000 deaths each year, is characterized by nonreversible air flow impairment or obstruction that is often diagnosed as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Tobacco use is a heavy contributor to these conditions. § Diabetes An estimated 16 million Americans have diabetes, and about one-third of them are unaware of it. About 1,700 new cases are diagnosed every day in the United States. The seventh leading cause of death among Americans, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness, kidney failure, and lower extremity amputations, and it greatly increases a person's risk for heart attack or stroke. Diabetes accounts for more than $98 billion in direct and indirect medical costs and lost productivity each year. Much of the burden of diabetes could be prevented with early detection, improved delivery of care, and better education on diabetes self-management. More information on Diabetes § 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. More information on Epilepsy § Iron Overload Iron overload, a disorder affecting more than 1 million Americans, can cause inflammation and damage to multiple body organs. Such damage can result in arthritis, cirrhosis, diabetes, impotence, heart failure, and sometimes death. Iron overload is a condition for which screening and appropriate follow-up are indicated. § Oral Diseases and Conditions Dental decay remains one of the most common infectious diseases among U.S. children: 17% of children aged 2-4 years, 52% of 8-year-olds, and 78% of 17-year-olds have dental decay. Among low-income children, almost 50% of tooth decay remains untreated. Many U.S. adults also have serious oral health problems, including the 30,000 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancers that are diagnosed each year. Proven preventive measures-including water fluoridation, dental sealants, and smoking prevention and cessation programs-can markedly reduce oral and dental diseases, yet they are often unavailable to those who need them most. More information on Oral Diseases and Conditions § Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disabling condition resulting in more than 1.5 million fractures each year. Fifty percent of people with osteoporosis who fracture their hip will be unable to walk without assistance, and 25% will require long-term care. Death is a common occurrence in the months immediately following hip fracture. The estimated national direct expenditure for osteoporosis and related fractures is $14 billion each year. More information on Osteoporosis