Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention

Chronic diseases and conditions are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems. Examples of chronic diseases include cancer, heart disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic respiratory disease. They develop slowly over time, and there may be no symptoms before onset.

 Risks for developing chronic diseases are greatly affected by your daily habits, like nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco use.  We cannot control all of our risk factors, but we can do our best to control those we can. 

We can do a lot for our own health. But it's also important to build healthier communities where everyone can live well. This means making sure our homes, jobs, neighborhoods, faith communities, and schools create a supportive and healthy environment. Doing this helps prevent chronic diseases and makes life better for all, especially by making health more fair for everyone.

Discover Our Health Programs & Services:

• Get Moving with Austin Moves! Want to be more active? Join our free 6-week Austin Moves! walking program and get started!
• Take Charge of Diabetes and your health overall! Healthy Living Program: Learn more about diabetes and overall health tips. Register for our Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) or the PrevenT2 Diabetes Prevention Program.
• Live Tobacco-Free! Tobacco/Smoking Cessation and Prevention: Find free resources to help you quit smoking or vaping for good. We can also help you make or update tobacco-free polices for anywhere in Austin or Travis County.
• Partnering for Health in Faith Communities! The Faith Community Partnership brings an expert who can guide you to resources and help your congregation become healthier.
• Get Fresh Affordable Food:  The Fresh for Less program partners with Farmshare Austin and Central Texas Food Bank. We make it easier to get fresh, healthy, and affordable food right in your neighborhood.
• Boost Workplace Health! Our worksite wellness program helps you create custom wellness plans for your unique workplace. Get expert advice and connect with other organizations through network events.
• Build a Healthier School! The Healthy Schools program provides expert help to design a healthier environment for your students and staff.

Recommendations for a healthy lifestyle:

Your Path to a Healthier, Happier You!

You have the power to live a vibrant, energetic life! Small, consistent steps can lead to amazing health benefits.

Active Living: Boost Your Energy!

• Move Your Body: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week (30 minutes a day, five days a week). Even 10-minute bursts make a big difference in your energy and health.
• Build Strength: Do activities at least two days a week that make your muscles work harder than usual. This will build strength and help you feel stronger every day.

Healthy Eating: Fuel Your Body!

• Eat More Fruits & Veggies: Eat more fruits and vegetables daily to give your body the powerful nutrients it craves. You'll feel more energetic and support your immune system.
• Choose Smartly: Reduce "junk" foods (those with minimal nutritional value). Choosing more whole, healthy foods will make you feel better and have more sustained energy.

Tobacco-Free Living: Breathe Easy!

• Protect your health by not using any tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes/vapes etc.). This significantly lowers your health risks.
• Protect Yourself & Others: Minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke. Create smoke-free spaces for yourself and your loved ones.

Remember: Every step you take is a win! You are capable of transforming your health and quality of life.