The week of April 2nd has been designated National Public Health Week. The theme this year is The Healthiest Nation by 2030. Improving our health means ensuring conditions where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy. One way we can do this is to encourage healthy behaviors and choices.
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity are among the most common and expensive health conditions impacting the nation’s health. Drug overdoses continues to be a serious public health challenge in Maryland and across the country. According to the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, in Maryland, the total number of overdose deaths has risen steadily since 2010, mainly due to the increase in heroin-related deaths.
Chronic diseases are often entirely preventable. There are a variety of creative and proven ways to make it easier for people to adopt healthy behaviors, make healthier choices and prevent the onset of costly chronic diseases such as:
• Get active • Control cholesterol • Eat better • Mange blood pressure • Lose weight • Reduce blood sugar • Stop smoking