Health

Chronic Disease Initiative

  • collage of photos that shows people walking, healthy food, and someone using their hands to create the shape of a heart

About Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases are health conditions that last a long time and often require ongoing care. Chronic diseases can develop over many years. Many can be prevented, managed, and, in some cases, reversed. Some people may have a chronic disease without knowing it. In fact, in Colorado, 2 out of every 3 adults have a chronic disease. Chronic diseases include: 

  • heart disease
  • high blood pressure
  • cancer
  • obesity
  • diabetes 

Healthy choices can help reduce the risk of chronic disease. Eating healthy foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco are important steps. Regular health screenings and working with a health care provider can also help people prevent or manage chronic disease. But individual choices are only part of the picture. Where people live, work, learn, and spend time can make healthy choices easier or harder. Access to healthy food, safe places to be active, health care, and other community resources can all affect health.

Chronic Disease in Larimer County

LCDHE received grant funding to support a three-year Chronic Disease Initiative in Larimer County. This funding supports work to prevent and manage chronic disease and improve access to resources that help people live healthier lives. Our team is working with community partners to understand local needs, connect people with resources, and support community-level changes that make healthy choices more accessible. Through a series of community listening sessions, LCDHE identified three focus areas:

  • Cardiovascular Disease
    • Advance educational efforts to help educate the community on issues related to cardiovascular disease, such as blood pressure and cholesterol management.
  • Healthy Food
    • Advance community-level policies and practices to increase access to healthy food.
  • Physical Activity
    • Increase social supports for physical activity, such as community-based walking programs and programs at local recreation centers.

Get Involved

Improving health across Larimer County takes all of us. Community members, organizations, businesses, health care providers, and local partners can help create communities where healthy choices are easier to make. Ways to get involved:

  • Attend upcoming events and activities
  • Volunteer to support Chronic Disease prevention

Together, We Can Build Healthier Communities

Chronic disease affects many people in Larimer County. By working together, we can increase access to resources, support healthy choices, and create communities where everyone has opportunities to live a healthier life.

 

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Cardiovascular disease affects the heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and many people with high blood pressure do not know they have it.

Having access to healthy, affordable food can support good health and help reduce the risk of chronic disease. Healthy food access can look different in different communities. It can include grocery stores, food pantries, community gardens, farmers' markets, meal programs, and other local resources.

Regular physical activity can help prevent and manage chronic diseases. Physical activity can include walking, biking, playing, exercising, gardening, or other activities that get your body moving. People need safe, accessible, and affordable places and programs where they can be active.


Chronic Disease Initative Coordinator

 

If you're aware of projects or programs that address Cardiovascular Health, Healthy Food, or Physical Activity -  or if you'd like to get more involved in those areas, we'd love to hear from you!
 

Email: Jo Buckley