The Chronic Disease Epidemiology Unit is housed with the MDCH Surveillance and Program Evaluation Section (SPES). The Chronic Disease Epidemiology Unit provides an epidemiologic understanding of prevention, management, and control of chronic diseases in Michigan.  The unit supports the surveillance, planning, targeting and evaluation needs of a variety of departmental programs, as well as identifies new trends and associations in chronic disease prevention and control.

Chronic diseases account for 7 of the 10 leading causes of death in Michigan and are responsible for a great deal of morbidity and disability. Over 60% of Michigan's adult population suffers from a chronic disabling condition, such as arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes. In addition, over 95% of Michigan adults report behaviors that lead to many chronic diseases, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and alcohol use.

Staff of the Chronic Disease Epidemiology Unit are funded to work in arthritis, behavioral risk factor surveillance, cardiovascular health, disabilities, genomics, lupus, nutrition, physical activity, stroke, and tobacco. Additional work is conducted in asthma, breast and ovarian cancer risk assessment, cancer survivorship, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cognitive impairment, depression & anxiety, diabetes, health disparities, and many other areas.  

Focus Areas: Click on the focus areas below to access surveillance data and epidemiologic findings for selected diseases and conditions.