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Chronic disease
Understanding chronic diseases and their impacts
If you’ve been hearing more about chronic disease, it’s because they’re becoming a lot more common. A disease that’s considered to be chronic is one that a person has for a long time, typically three months or more1. What’s important to know, is that chronic disease can be prevented.
There are five key factors that affect your risk of getting a chronic disease:
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol use
- Long-term stress
Many chronic diseases are often manageable with the right treatments and lifestyle choices. Without treatment and lifestyle changes, a chronic disease can get worse over time and impact even the simplest daily activities.
Understanding chronic diseases and their impacts
If you’ve been hearing more about chronic disease, it’s because they’re becoming a lot more common. A disease that’s considered to be chronic is one that a person has for a long time, typically three months or more1. What’s important to know, is that chronic disease can be prevented.
There are five key factors that affect your risk of getting a chronic disease:
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol use
- Long-term stress
Many chronic diseases are often manageable with the right treatments and lifestyle choices. Without treatment and lifestyle changes, a chronic disease can get worse over time and impact even the simplest daily activities.
45% of Canadians are living with at least one major chronic disease.2
According to the 2023 Benefits Canada Healthcare survey, over half of the Canadian workforce with benefits (54%) have at least one diagnosed chronic condition.3
67% of all direct health care costs in Canada are related to treatment of chronic disease.4
Three of the most common types of chronic disease
Heart disease
Diabetes
Mental illness
Steps to help prevent chronic disease
Certain unhealthy lifestyle habits can increase your risk of developing a chronic disease.5 Learn about simple changes you can make in your daily routine to help lower your risk and prevent chronic disease.
Healthier
eating.
Learn how to build better eating habits.
Moving
more.
Kick start your fitness goals with a Prescription to Get Active.
Quitting
smoking.
Get the support you need to quit with these national and provincial supports.
Reducing alcohol intake.
Visit Drink Sense Alberta for information on the impacts of alcohol on your body and tips to help cut back. 85 per cent of Albertans stay within Canada’s low-risk drinking guidelines. Want to find out where you fit?
Managing and reducing stress.
Learn more about stress and its effects on the body.
Lifestyle can make a difference in preventing as well as managing chronic disease.
Learn more about lifestyle managementLiving with and managing a chronic disease
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, there are still many things you can do to help manage it.
Chronic disease management
Chronic disease management includes the care, knowledge, skills and resources needed to better manage your chronic disease6. It can begin with finding a primary care provider, such as a family doctor or involve other health care providers, community-based programs or referrals to specialist programs and services that support your health.
We understand managing a chronic disease or accessing the right care at the right time is not always easy. To help guide Albertans and Alberta Blue Cross® plan members, the following includes a list of available resources.
Did you know?
Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health care professionals who have expanded their roles to help promote health. Not only do they ensure your medication is safe and effective for you, they can also improve your access to care by renewing your medication or providing vaccinations. They’re a great resource for support, guidance and education.
Locate a pharmacy near youPublic resources
Learn more about primary care (such as the importance of having a family physician) and other health care resources and supports.
Information, education and support to those living with a chronic disease.
Health workshops and services to help you better manage your physical and mental health.
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All information, content, and material contained on this website (including links to other third-party websites) is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical or other professional advice on any subject matter, or for any individual case or situation. Nothing on this website is intended to substitute for the advice of a qualified medical professional, and you should not act, or refrain from acting, on the basis of any content included on this website. If you require medical advice, you are advised to consult a qualified medical professional.
[1] Public Health Agency of Canada. Prevalence of Chronic Diseases Among Canadian Adults. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/prevalence-canadian-adults-infographic-2019.html.
[2] Statistics Canada. A Snapshot of the Health of Canadians. Available at: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2023066-eng.pdf.
[3] Benefits Canada. 54% of benefits plan members currently live with at least one chronic condition: survey. Available at: https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-wellness/54-of-benefits-plan-members-currently-live-with-at-least-one-chronic-condition-survey/.
[4] 2017. The Public Health Agency of Canada. The Economic Burden of Illness in Canada, 2010. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/science-research-data/economic-burden-illness-canada-2010.html.
[5] Walter C. Willett, Jeffrey P. Koplan, Rachel Nugent, Courtenay Dusenbury, Pekka Puska, and Thomas A. Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries 2nd edition. Gaziano. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11795/.
[6] Canadian Pharmacists Association. Wellness and Chronic Diseases Management Services. Available at: https://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/advocacy-government-relations-initiatives/value-for-services/wellness-services/.