Health Promotion

February is Chronic Conditions Month

February is Chronic Conditions Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness, education, and prevention efforts related to long-term health conditions that affect millions of individuals each year.

Chronic conditions are illnesses or health concerns that tend to be long-lasting and often require ongoing management. Common examples include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, obesity, and tobacco-related illnesses. While some chronic conditions develop due to genetics or medical history, many are strongly influenced by lifestyle factors such as physical activity levels, nutrition habits, sleep, stress, and tobacco use.

When left unmanaged, chronic conditions can negatively impact daily functioning, mental well-being, physical performance, and overall readiness. However, with early intervention and healthy behavior changes, many chronic conditions can be prevented, improved, or effectively managed.

Chronic Conditions Month serves as a reminder that small, consistent actions, when practiced over time, can lead to meaningful improvements in long-term health.

Why Chronic Conditions Awareness Matters

• Many chronic conditions develop gradually and may not show noticeable symptoms early on
• Preventive care and routine screenings can help detect issues before they become severe
• Regular movement, balanced nutrition, and stress management play a major role in disease prevention
• Healthy habits improve energy levels, resilience, and overall quality of life

Chronic conditions are extremely common and can have a profound effect on health and daily functioning:

• Approximately 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 live with two or more chronic conditions.
• An estimated 129 million Americans (about 40% of the population) have at least one major chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, or hypertension.
• Conditions like obesity affect over 40% of U.S. adults, increasing the risk of related chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• Tobacco use contributes to more than 480,000 deaths annually and is a major risk factor for chronic illnesses including heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and more.

These trends highlight how widespread chronic conditions are across age groups and lifespans, and why prevention, early detection, and healthy choices matter.

For Marines and Sailors, proactive health management directly supports operational readiness, injury prevention, and long-term career sustainability. For families and civilians, these same habits promote lifelong wellness and reduce health risks.

February Events & Observances

Go Red for Women

Thursday, 6 February
Across all MCB Butler installations

Show your support for Go Red for Women, an initiative focused on raising awareness of heart disease—the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Cardiovascular disease causes approximately 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, highlighting the critical importance of awareness, prevention, and early detection.

Wear red to help spark conversations about prevention, early detection, and heart-healthy lifestyle habits that support women at every stage of life.

HeartFit Fusion Party

Friday, 7 February | 0930–1130
Gunners Fitness Center

Join us for the HeartFit Fusion Party, a high-energy fitness event designed to promote cardiovascular health through fun, engaging movement. This event highlights the importance of aerobic exercise in supporting heart health, improving endurance, and reducing the risk of chronic disease.

Open to all authorized patrons.

Great American Spit Out

Wednesday, 19 February

The Great American Spit Out encourages individuals to take a step toward quitting smokeless tobacco. Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, oral cancer, gum disease, and stroke.

This observance promotes awareness of cessation resources and reinforces the benefits of becoming tobacco-free—for both immediate health improvements and long-term disease prevention.

Supporting Your Health Year-Round

MCCS Health Promotion & Fitness offers programs and services that support prevention and management of chronic conditions, including:

• Fitness and physical activity programs
• Nutrition education
• Stress Management Briefs (AD only)

Taking an active role in your health today can reduce future risk, enhance daily performance, and improve overall well-being.

Additional Resources & Statistics

• CDC – About Chronic Diseases
  https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html
• CDC – Chronic Disease Facts & Statistics
  https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
• CDC – Prevalence of Chronic Conditions in U.S. Adults
  https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/23_0120.htm
• CDC – Adult Obesity Data & Statistics
  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db508.htm
• American Heart Association – Go Red for Women: Heart Disease Facts
  https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts