Chronic diseases, in general, are conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention and/or limit the daily living activities of someone with the disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
Commercial tobacco use remains the single largest avoidable risk factor for disease and premature death in the United States and in South Carolina.
The Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control uses data to identify commercial tobacco use-related health disparities and to effectively implement meaningful commercial tobacco prevention and control strategies that include:
