Cancer & Chronic Conditions
Nearly two-thirds of preventable premature death in Louisiana is due to cancer and uncontrolled chronic conditions.
Goal
Save lives through access to lung, colorectal and breast cancer screenings; Expand detection and treatment of chronic conditions.
Success Measure
100,000
100,000
fewer people with chronic conditions
Multiple chronic conditions are the leading cause of premature death in Louisiana. The number of people living with three or more chronic conditions has increased over the last two decades. Adults with multiple chronic conditions represent one of the highest-need segments of the population, since each of their chronic conditions is likely to require extra medication and monitoring.
Focusing on prevention and the reduction of chronic conditions is important to the Healthy State initiative as better management can lead to a longer and healthier life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20%-40% of premature deaths are preventable.
Multiple Chronic Conditions
Percentage of adults with three or more chronic conditions.
More than half of all premature deaths for people over age 35 in Louisiana are from cancer and cardiovascular disease.
What we should know & do to drive change:
Louisiana has the fourth-highest breast cancer death rate in the US.
Louisiana is the 4th in Breast Cancer Screenings!
Data Source: LCP
Most impacted populations
Black women are diagnosed more frequently and more likely to die from breast cancer, as are those who are overweight and use alcohol (LCP).
Breast Cancer in my community
See the rate in your area as compiled by LSU Health: Louisiana Cancer Data Visualization - Public Health
Solutions
Improve breast cancer screening rate and early detection of cancer. Screening and early detection can lead to reduced cancer-related deaths and improved outcomes for individuals diagnosed with cancer (LCP).
If breast cancer is caught early, the survival rate is close to 100%. It is even 72% at stage 3 with regular screenings. This shows the effectiveness of no-cost mammograms (LCP).
Reducing obesity and reducing alcohol consumption can lower risks of breast cancer.
The Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program (LBCHP): No cost mammograms and Pap tests (LCP).
SurviveDAT provides online resources and support to young breast cancer survivors and the people who love and care for them (LSU Health Foundation).
American Cancer Society Early Detection Guidelines (ACS).
Transportation assistance (LCP).
Louisiana has the fifth-highest colorectal cancer death rate in the US.
Louisiana is 16th in Colorectal Cancer Screenings! Up from 27th in 2020.
Data Source: LCP 2023
Most impacted populations
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include tobacco use, eating processed foods and red meat, obesity, and lack of screening (LCP).
African Americans and Cajuns are more susceptible to the disease.
Colorectal Cancer in my community
See the rate in your area as complied by LSU Health: Louisiana Cancer Data Visualization - Public Health
Solutions
Increase early screening for colorectal cancer. When caught early, colorectal cancer has a 90% survival rate (LCP).
Healthy eating, exercise are also important to avoid colorectal cancer.
Screenup is working towards increasing cancer screening rates at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout the state (LCP Screen Up).
Louisiana Colorectal Cancer Roundtable works to increase screening rates and with partners, issues a legislative report each year that outlines the problem, data, progress, barriers and recommendations (LCP Report).
About colorectal screening tests (American Cancer Society's explanation).
Symptoms of colorectal cancer (LCP).
1 out of 3 cancer deaths in Louisiana are from lung cancer.
Louisiana is 24th in Air Pollution. Up from 35th in 2020.
Data Source: LCP 2023
Most impacted populations
More than 80% of lung cancers are caused by smoking and secondhand smoke. See our page on Smoking Cessation.
- Men
- African Americans
- Adults over 50
- Adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work
Lung Cancer rate in my community
See the rate in your area as compiled by LSU Health: Louisiana Cancer Data Visualization - Public Health
Solutions
Quit smoking today (Quit with Us LA).
Early screening and quitting Tobacco use saves lives (LCP).
Low-dose CT lung cancer screenings can reduce death by at least 20% (UCLA Health).
About The New Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Test (American Lung Association).
See the Healthy State page on Smoking.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the fifth-leading cause. Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. More than 700,000 deaths in the US were caused by complications of hypertension.
Louisiana is 15th in for adults who reported having a dedicated healthcare provider. Up from 27th in 2020.
Data Source: AHR 2023
Most impacted populations
- Adults over 65
- Men
- African American and American Indian/Alaskan Native adults
- Adults with less than a high school degree
- Adults with an annual household income less than $25,000
- Adults living in rural areas
Hypertension in my community
Hypertension by state map: AHR
Use the Centers for Disease Control's PLACES map and navigate to High Blood Pressure to see your community: CDC PLACES
PLACES provides model-based, population-level analysis and community estimates of health measures to all counties, places (incorporated and census designated places), census tracts, and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) across the United States. Learn more about PLACES.
Solutions
Access to primary care is associated with prevention of illness and death (NIH).
Improve control of hypertension among adults in Louisiana through improving access to high-quality care and reducing risk factors:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor medication adherence
Remote monitoring programs improve hypertension and diabetes control through early detection of complications, better patient engagement, and reduced healthcare cost. Ochsner Health has hypertension and diabetes digital medicine programs (Ochsner Health).
Value-based payment models are more effective in achieving better health outcomes by incentivizing providers to achieve certain quality metrics. Expand partnership to more payors and providers to participate in value-based payment programs to improve rates of hypertension and diabetes control among adults within Louisiana.
Diabetes was the eighth-leading cause of death in the US in 2021. Diabetes accounts for more than 100,000 deaths annually. Those with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than those without diabetes.
Data Source: AHR 2023
Most impacted populations
- Adults over 65
- Men
- African American and American Indian/Alaskan Native adults
- Adults with less than a high school degree
- Adults with an annual household income less than $25,000
- Adults living in rural areas
Diabetes in my community
Diabetes by state map: AHR
Use the Centers for Disease Control's PLACES map and navigate to Diabetes to see your community: Disease Control's PLACES map
PLACES provides model-based, population-level analysis and community estimates of health measures to all counties, places (incorporated and census designated places), census tracts, and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) across the United States. Learn more about PLACES.
Solutions
Improve control of diabetes among adults in Louisiana through improving access to high-quality care and reducing risk factors:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor medication adherence
Remote monitoring programs improve hypertension and diabetes control through early detection of complications, better patient engagement, and reduced healthcare cost. Ochsner Health has hypertension and diabetes digital medicine programs (Ochsner Health).
Value-based payment models are more effective in achieving better health outcomes by incentivizing providers to achieve certain quality metrics. Expand partnership to more payors and providers to participate in value-based payment programs to improve rates of hypertension and diabetes control among adults within Louisiana.
Louisiana Experiment Assessing Diabetes - Zero Dollar Copayment (LEAD-ZDC): LEAD-ZDC is a prospective observational study to assess the effectiveness of zero-dollar copayment for select common diabetes medications on patients' medication adherence, blood glucose (A1c) control, diabetes complications, and healthcare utilization. Tulane University is leading the study in collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and REACHnet partners in Louisiana. Tulane.
Adults who have obesity are more likely to have decreased quality of life and increased risk of developing serious health conditions, such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea and breathing problems, some cancers and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Weight stigma, or discrimination and stereotyping based on an individual's weight, may also negatively influence psychological and physical health. The financial impact associated with obesity and obesity-related health problems is staggering. One study estimated the medical costs of obesity to be $342.2 billion (in 2013 dollars). Beyond direct medical costs, the indirect costs of decreased productivity tied to obesity are estimated at $8.65 billion per year among American workers (AHR).
Data Source: AHR 2023
Most impacted populations
- Adults ages 45-64
- Men
- African American and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults
- Adults with less than a college education
- Adults with an annual household income less than $25,000
- Employees with sedentary or shift work jobs
- Students or other consumers
Obesity in my community
Over 36% of Louisianians are obese (2021) AHR.
Use the Centers for Disease Control's PLACES map and navigate to Obesity to see your community: Disease Control's PLACES map.
PLACES provides model-based, population-level analysis and community estimates of health measures to all counties, places (incorporated and census designated places), census tracts, and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) across the United States. Learn more about PLACES.
Solutions
Review and share the Obesity, USA campaign from Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
Healthy snacking and nutrition are essential to promoting wellness and providing the best nutrients for health, energy, and productivity. With more than 36% of Louisiana residents considered obese, accessibility to nutritious food options that are low in calories, fat, sugar and sodium can help to improve overall health (Well-Ahead Louisiana).
For employee health, by incorporating healthy foods into work vending machines, workplaces can ensure employee health, nutrition, and productivity. To meet this benchmark, at least 50% of snacks and beverages provided to employees-including each vending machine-must meet one of the approved healthy vending guidelines provided at these links:
- NANA, AHA and GSA/HHS approved vending options
- NAMA's Fit Pick Product List
- Ochsner Eat Fit Vending Guide
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center Vending List for Schools
- Financial Implications of Healthy Vending
Implementing a state-wide awareness and education campaign will increase people's physical activity.
Use of digital apps and platforms to increase physical activity.
Cancer Journey: Monica Mullooly
Cancer Journey: Monica Mullooly
When Monica Mullooly was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer, she found the strength to persevere from the memory of her beloved son, Ross Mullooly, and his cancer journey, as well as the compassionate care she received at Ochsner Cancer Center - Baton Rouge.
News
TechTarget - Combatting chronic disease among Medicaid patients with RPM
Chief Healthcare Executive - How Ochsner Health is working to improve maternal health
Priority Area Partners
Join us in building a healthier Louisiana for all.
Regardless of background, everyone is invited to join in shaping a healthier future for Louisiana. Together, through collective action and collaboration, we can make this vision a reality. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or support, every contribution counts in building a healthier Louisiana for all.
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