Prevalent, Costly and Preventable

The YMCA recognizes that health and well-being programs and initiatives are cricital to the nation's efforts to combat the crisis of chronic disease, including heart disease and stroke, cancer and diabetes. YMCAs also recognize that they can't do it alone. These diseases are the most prevalent, costly and preventable of all health problems.

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in the US;
133 million Americans live with one or more chronic diseases, and 75% of the nation's medical care costs go to treating people with these conditions;
About half of all deaths in the US can be attributed to largely preventable behaviors.

Pictured are: (L-R) Barbara Moore, Project Director for the Connecticut Pioneering Healthier Communities / Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative; and Jason Cohen, Connecticut Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities Chair (Director of Parks and Recreation in Colchester, CT and Treasurer / Legislative Chairman of the Connecticut Recreation and Park Association.