A decrease in chronic disease and an increase in healthy lifestyle behaviors is essential to a healthy community. Chronic disease and a healthy lifestyle can often be viewed as having an inverse relationship and the rise of healthy lifestyle education and application within a community could result in a decrease of chronic disease (obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer). Many of the indicators we use to evaluate chronic disease and healthy lifestyles have been following an increasingly negative trend.

The Macomb County Health Department and its community partners are working together to target modifiable risk factors for chronic disease by providing efficient, evidence based programming and services. Our 2017 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) has identified chronic disease and healthy lifestyle as a priority for one of the work groups. Over the next 5 years the work group will identify or develop targeted programs and services in the county to provide residents opportunities to improve their lifestyle choices.