More than 133 million Americans have at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. As the population ages in the next 20 years, that number is expected to increase steadily. Chronic diseases not only lessen a person's quality of life, they also place heavy financial burdens on states and the nation with rapidly increasing health care costs.

Chronic diseases are often preventable with changes in lifestyle and readily available screening tools, such as mammograms and Pap smears. More states are turning to wellness programs to encourage exercise, regular medical care and healthier eating. To make the best use of limited health care and public resources, policymakers at all levels need to adjust health care budgeting and spending to promote wellness, healthy lifestyles and prevent disease rather than focusing solely on treating acute illness.

Healthy States Forum for State Legislators: Innovation and Collaboration in Wellness

To find out more about adolescent and adult wellness, click the link above to view resources and slides from the panelists at our August 2007 forum in New Orleans.

Adult Wellness: Saving Time and Money

During this workshop at CSG's Annual Meeting in December 2006, state legislators learned of their unique position to help encourage both worksite and community wellness programs.

• Dr. Wayne Giles, M.D., M.S., director, Division of Adult and Community Health, CDC
• John Clymer, president, Partnership for Prevention
• Mark Brainard, chief of staff, Delaware
• Rep. Jean Hunhoff, South Dakota

CSG Health Policy Forum: Mental Health Care and Wellness

In June 2006, legislators and other state officials gathered at CSG's Health Policy Forum to discuss mental illness and health care and defined state best practices and innovative program examples.

• Susan M. Christensen, senior adviser, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• Larry Davidson, associate professor of psychology, Yale University
• Dr. Richard Dolinar, senior fellow, Healthcare Policy, Heartland Institute
• Steve Buck, director of state policy, National Alliance on Mental Illness

A series of CDC fact sheets provides information about effective strategies for the prevention of chronic diseases. You'll find downloadable, two-page prevention fact sheets on school health, cancer, dental care, diabetes, heart disease and stroke and obesity among other topics.