Disease
Choose a disease from the list below.
Diabetes
Over 18 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, but almost one third
are undiagnosed and therefore untreated. The bodies of patients with diabetes
either do not produce enough insulin or do not use it properly to convert
sugars from food into energy. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to
kidney failure, blindness, and lower limb amputation. It is also a risk
factor for heart disease and stroke.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming the
lives of nearly 460,000 Americans each year. Americans pay $53.4 billion
annually for medical care related to heart disease. High blood pressure,
high cholesterol, and congestive heart failure are all types of heart
disease.
Mental Illness
Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia are the
leading cause of disability in North America and Europe. Individuals can
be affected by mental illness at any age, but are most vulnerable as young
adults and in old age. Over $100 billion are spent in the U.S. each year
on costs related to untreated mental illness.
Osteoporosis
In the United States, an estimated 10 million people are living with osteoporosis, also called brittle bone disease. Although osteoporosis is responsible for the majority of hip fractures, and accounts for more than eighteen billion dollars in health care expenditures annually, on average only 20% of patients are ever screened or treated for the disease.
Respiratory
Respiratory diseases affect the lungs and airways and include asthma,
allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, pneumonia,
and others. Shortness of breath and chronic cough are often symptoms of
respiratory illness.
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