Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last one or more years and require ongoing medical attention and/or limit daily activities. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension  (or also known as high blood pressure) are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. More than 60% of deaths in Prince George's County are due to chronic diseases.

Many chronic diseases are caused by risk behaviors such as poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and tobacco use. Healthy eating, as part of better nutrition, includes consumption of appropriate portion sizes, fruits and vegetables. Physical activity is defined as any body movement that works your muscles and uses more energy than you use when you're resting. Tobacco use leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body.

The Chronic Disease Unit implements evidence-based strategies and interventions to assist individuals and communities in improving their quality of life, making healthier lifestyle choices to manage their chronic disease, and achieving a healthy weight. In addition, the Chronic Disease Unit also partners with community organizations to implement and expand outreach efforts to improve health outcomes.

* Maryland Vital Statistics Annual Report 2021, Division of Health Statistics, DHMH

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which blood sugar levels are above normal. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help sugar get into the cells of our bodies.

Dine, Learn & Move

Dine, Learn & Move is a FREE 11-month program currently being presented online by a partnership between M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation Prince George’s County, Prince George’s County Health Department, Suburban Hospital and the University of Maryland, Capital Region Health. The program aims to promote healthy eating, active living and reinforce health behaviors in order to reduce the prevalence of various chronic diseases amongst county residents. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Prince George’s County and half of adults are not active or are insufficiently active (sources: 2021 Maryland Vital Statistics Administration Annual Report; 2022 Maryland BRFSS).

Living Well Self-Management Programs

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

  The Living Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a self-management class for anyone with a chronic condition (arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension), or any other chronic condition that requires ongoing medication.

• Diabetes Self-Management Program

  The Living Well Diabetes Self-Management Program is a series of self-management classes for anyone with a diabetes diagnosis.

PreventionLink

The PreventionLink program integrates clinical practice with evidence-based public health programs to improve health outcomes for patients at all levels of risk for chronic disease, from persons at risk for diabetes and heart disease to high-system utilizers with frequent hospitalizations. Innovations in the use of health information technology and the development of communities of practice will bring together stakeholders in chronic disease care with a shared goal of reducing the burden of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke in underserved areas of Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties.

Prevent T2 Program (Pre-diabetes)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recognized lifestyle change program that is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.