2025 - 2026 Top Chronic Conditions in Arizona (with Stats)

1. Heart Disease

   • Leading cause of death in Arizona.

   • Approximately 10,000 deaths annually.

   • Over 50,000 hospitalizations every year.

   • Higher rates in Maricopa, Mohave, and Cochise counties.

   • Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.

2. Cancer

   • One of the top causes of death, second to heart disease.

   • Over 2,700 new cancer diagnoses per month.

   • More than 1,000 cancer deaths monthly.

   • Cancer mortality is a significant health burden statewide.

3. Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease)

   • Major cause of mortality, especially in Yavapai, Navajo, and Greenlee counties.

   • Stroke causes thousands of deaths annually.

   • Age-adjusted death rates have been noted in health statistics reports.

4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (CLRD)

   • Includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema, asthma.

   • 5th leading cause of death in Arizona in 2020.

   • Mortality rates remain above the U.S. average, though decreasing recently.

   • Rural areas show higher mortality rates from CLRD.

5. Diabetes

   • Prevalence in Arizona adults is high (exact state-level rate not specified but mirrors national trends).

   • Diabetes is among top chronic conditions;

   • Diabetes and its complications contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality.

6. Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis

   • Ranked 9th leading cause of death in Arizona in 2020.

   • Mortality rate increased notably from 2019 to 2020.

   • Both males and females affected, with males comprising majority of deaths.

7. Other Chronic Conditions

   • Arthritis, asthma, chronic kidney disease—these, along with depression and cancer, are tracked as major chronic conditions.

   • Around 9.9% of Arizona adults have three or more chronic conditions from this group.

Overall Chronic Condition Burden:

• About 9.9% of adults in Arizona have three or more of the following chronic conditions: arthritis, asthma, chronic kidney disease, COPD, cardiovascular diseases, cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer), depression, or diabetes.

• Chronic diseases account for 7 in 10 deaths annually in Arizona.

Risk Factors and Prevention:

• Major contributors include tobacco use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic/environmental factors.

• Prevention focuses on quitting smoking, healthy eating, physical activity, alcohol moderation, regular screenings, and public health programs.

Summary of Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates (per 100,000 population):

This data reflects information gathered from Arizona state health reports and national chronic condition surveys up to 2024–2025