Nothing kills more American men and women per year than heart disease. In fact, almost 630,000 American men and women die from heart disease each year. Approximately every 40 seconds someone has a heart attack, which is a dreaded complication from coronary artery disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease, which is characterized by increasing shortness of breath. COPD affects an estimated 32 million Americans, which makes it the third leading cause of death in this country.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder and is the third most common type of arthritis behind osteoarthritis and gout. In the U.S., an estimated 1.3 million Americans suffer from RA. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans who had any form of arthritis suffered $303.5 billion in losses that were attributable to their diseases. People who are financially disadvantaged could have a significantly more difficult time treating RA because of a lack of medical coverage or other financial assistance.

It’s that time of year again. Hurricane season is upon us and, whether you blame crumbling infrastructure or global warming, it seems as though hurricanes are continuously more destructive and deadlier. We can’t prevent hurricanes from uprooting our lives or the lives of our friends and family. However, we can arm ourselves with knowledge and prepare for the worst.

Alcoholism has been, and continues to be, a prevalent problem throughout the United States. Because it’s readily accessible and relatively inexpensive, alcohol remains one of the most abused substances in our country. In fact, it’s been estimated that approximately 15 million Americans abuse alcohol in some manner each year.

High blood pressure is a common health problem throughout America. Although it is not a disease in and of itself, high blood pressure is an indicator of an increased risk for other potentially serious health conditions. Statistics indicate that over 75 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure and the problems that can result from this condition.