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Mid-South Health Challenges

The Mid-South is at the epicenter of a nationwide epidemic of obesity and chronic conditions caused by obesity. Obesity leads to increased rates of chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The combination of poor diet and physical inactivity is now the number one actual cause of death in the U.S., even surpassing the death and disability caused by tobacco.

In the Mid-South:


73% of adults are overweight or obese

 

obesity

40% of adults have high blood pressure

 heart disease

 

15% of adults have diabetes

  diabetes

The Mid-South has higher rates of disability and death from heart attack, stroke, cancer, kidney failure, and arthritis than anywhere else in the nation. The CHSI focuses on addressing the root causes of this epidemic, particularly among people with multiple chronic conditions associated with obesity.

May 26, 2022