Did you know that almost 80% of Ontarians over the age of 45 have a chronic disease? Most chronic diseases are linked to lifestyle choices: the amount and type of food we eat, how active we are, and our ability to avoid smoking. Some of the more common chronic diseases are heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many chronic diseases are preventable; however, once you have a chronic disease it can be controlled but not always cured. The good news is that your health and your ability to feel good can be improved if you manage your chronic disease well.

The staff at CHFHT place a lot of emphasis on chronic disease prevention and management. We work hard to empower our patients so that they can take an active role in managing their chronic diseases and improving their own health. Some of the programs that we offer include COPD & Smoking Cessation, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health. Our Nurse Practitioners are the clinical leads for these programs. They work within a multidisciplinary team made up of mental health counselors, a registered dietician, nurses and our family doctors.

If you have a chronic disease, remember that you can make lifestyle changes that will help you feel better and improve your health. If you do not yet have a chronic disease, but are concerned about your health, talk to your health care provider to see what you can do to improve your health, such as quitting smoking, exercising and making nutrition and lifestyle changes.