What we’re working on and why: Preventing Chronic Disease

The President’s most recent budget proposal eliminates the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The programs within this center at the CDC do important work with state and local governments to prevent and detect chronic diseases—such as heart disease and stroke—early and deliver measurable returns on investment while also saving lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was founded with the mandate to research and treat communicable diseases. As threats to public health have changed, so has the work of the CDC. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, lung disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, have become seven of the top ten causes of death in the country. The CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion works to prevent, manage and treat chronic diseases. This center works with state and local governments to prevent, detect and manage chronic diseases. They directly support state and community public health departments with the resources and best practices to help communities across the country prevent, detect and manage heart disease, stroke and other chronic conditions.

Though we’ve made huge progress in lowering the number of people who lose their lives to heart disease and stroke, recent projections suggest that there is more work to be done. More than 60 percent of the country is projected to have some form of heart disease by 2050. Eliminating this Center would undercut efforts to fight chronic disease and improve heart and brain health in this country.

Contact your elected officials; ask them to support efforts to prevent chronic disease!