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Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer cost the Canadian
economy more than an estimated $55 billion every year. This represents the major
and growing component of health care costs.
The most common chronic diseases include:
- cardiovascular disease;
- diabetes;
- cancer;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
- asthma; and
- mental illness (including depression, stress and anxiety).
There are, however, some activities that could help prevent or delay the onset
of chronic disease. Here are several ways that individuals,
families and communities, among others, can do their part to reduce
their risk:
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Individuals
- eating more fruits and vegetables
- eating foods containing
less fat
- quitting smoking
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Families
- watching less television
- going for walks or bike rides
- preparing and eating meals together
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Communities
- developing walking or biking trails
- promoting
active and safe routes to schools
- developing community gardens
- sponsoring health fairs
- promoting community use of schools or shopping malls
outside of operating hours
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Governments
- developing health promotion and disease prevention
programs
- develop public policy, legislation, standards and
guidelines to support chronic disease prevention
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If you are concerned about your risk of developing a chronic
disease, consult your physician or health care provider for more
information.
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