Chronic diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression, often with progressing severity. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of illness and death in the Canada and around the world.
Four modifiable health risk behaviors, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption, are responsible for much of the illness, suffering, and early death related to chronic diseases. (Click on the above links for prevention information from our website on these topics).
This section of the HealthSTATS site provides health status information on the following chronic diseases: