Chronic diseases and conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, respiratory diseases and obesity—are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems. In Chicago, as in the United States, chronic diseases and conditions are a significant health burden. Most chronic conditions can be prevented or managed through access to quality health care, lifestyle change, and health promoting policies, systems and environments. We envision a Chicago where all residents, regardless of their income, education or racial/ethnic background, have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life.

We support initiatives that:

• Prevent and manage chronic conditions and their risk factors
• Promote health where Chicagoans live, learn, play and work
• Promote health equity and provide every resident the opportunity to live a healthy life

Our core activities include:

• Monitoring chronic diseases, conditions, and risk factors
• Developing and implementing policy, system or environment changes to make healthy behaviors easier and more convenient for more people
• Working with community partners to improve delivery and use of quality health care services to prevent disease, detect diseases early, and manage risk factors
• Working with community partners to link people with or at high risk of chronic diseases to quality resources to best manage their conditions