During the 2008-2009 election season, health care is one of the primary focuses for debate. The system appears to be broken and greater emphasis is placed on preventative medicine. In America, one of the costliest concerns is that of chronic diseases, which accounts for more than 75% of the nation's $2 trillion in medical care costs.

Consider that the direct and indirect costs of Chronic Respiratory Disease from smoking is $193 billion, Diabetes costs are $174 billion per year, Cancer costs $89 billion annually, and the costs associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis has reached $81 billion. Yet, the biggest killer is Chronic Heart Disease and it accounted for $448 billion in 2008. Given the rising costs and the percentage of deaths caused by chronic diseases, many of them preventable, it's time that we focus our attention on what we can do to fix this troublesome situation.

One of the most painful and debilitating chronic diseases is Arthritis, which includes over 100 inflammatory diseases affecting the joints and connective tissues. Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Juvenile Arthritis, Gout and Carpal Tunnel Disease are some of the diseases that afflict 46 million adults. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States and represents over $80 billion in medical costs, so it's important to take steps to reduce the risk.

Those who are most at risk include women (60% of all cases), the elderly (half of all cases), the obese and those who work in sports or repetitive motion occupations. According to a recent study, the Arthritis Foundation Self Help Program reduces Rheumatoid Arthritic pain by 20% and reduces physician visits by 40%.

This small group education course offers physical exercises, which can reduce function decline by up to 41% or disability by 47%, weight loss programs that reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis by 50%, as well as nutritional advice. Participants in the program can also learn about physical therapy, medications and joint replacement therapy options that can help them live a long and robust life.

Heart Disease is one of the deadliest chronic diseases, which is the leading cause of the death in the US, despite improvements in prevention, detection and treatment. It is a killer of individuals who are in the prime of life, often taking people as young as 40 or 50.

Cardiovascular diseases leading to strokes account for over a million disabilities in working Americans, and in 2001, the health care costs reached $298 billion! There are many things you can do to limit your risk of Chronic Heart Disease: avoid or quit smoking; exercise 30-60 minutes, 3-5 days per week; eat your Omega-3s (fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts) and 5-10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables; maintain a healthy weight; and get regular blood pressure/cholesterol level screenings.

Chronic diseases are something that every American fears. The idea of being bed ridden or visiting the physician time and time again can be intimidating, especially when one considers the health care costs associated with a long-term disease. The worst part is in knowing that many cases are preventable through simple lifestyle modifications.

It seems the natural human urge is to "live my life how I want," but now we're seeing the drawbacks to such a stubborn philosophy. Even if you are already suffering, habitual changes can tack on many more years and allow you greater satisfaction in life.