10 Most Common Health Conditions in the U.S. in 2024
The 10 most common health conditions in the United States are heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, obesity, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, substance abuse disorders, the flu, kidney disease, and mental health conditions.
Many common health conditions can be prevented, diagnosed, and managed through routine screening and lab testing. The more you know about your health, the easier it is to be in control of it. If you don’t know how or where to seek preventative health services, a membership with Mira allows you to book your next appointment in just a few clicks!
The 10 Most Common Health Conditions in the United States
Six out of ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease, and four out of ten adults have two or more. Chronic disease is defined as a condition that lasts for more than one year, requires ongoing medical attention, and limits daily activities. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, and the leading driver of the nation’s $3.8 trillion annual health care costs. Infectious diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that may spread from person to person. COVID-19 is an example of an infectious disease.
The most common health conditions include both chronic and infectious diseases and vary by age, group, and location. The 10 most common health conditions nationwide are listed below:
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis)
- Obesity
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Diabetes
- Substance Abuse
- Influenza and Pneumonia
- Kidney Disease
- Mental Health Conditions
Each year, the National Center for Health Statistics presents U.S. mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. In 2019, life expectancy for the total U.S. population was 78.8 years.
1. Heart Disease
The term “heart disease” refers to a number of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). CAD occurs from a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries which restricts blood flow to the heart. This can lead to chest pain and eventually heart failure.
Heart disease is most common among the following groups:
- Men
- People who smoke
- People who are overweight or obese
- People with a family history of heart disease or heart attack
- People over age 55
Every year around 655,000 Americans die from heart disease, which makes up almost a quarter of all deaths annually. Fortunately, heart disease is preventable and mitigate through changes in diet, lifestyle, and routine cardiovascular screening. The main screening tests for cardiovascular disease are cholesterol screenings, glucose screenings, and c-reactive protein screening.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
About 108 million US adults (1 in 3) have high blood pressure, one of the risk factors for heart disease. Other leading risk factors for heart disease include:
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of physical inactivity
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Alexis Bryan MPH, is a recent graduate of Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. She is passionate about increasing access to care to improve health outcomes. Outside of work, she loves to travel, read, and pay too much attention to her plants.