### Projected Rates of Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes by 2050 According to a new projection by the American Heart Association, by 2050, more than 6 in 10 U.S. adults will have cardiovascular disease (CVD). This includes conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, heart disease, heart failure, irregular heart rhythm, and problems with blood vessels. The report, published in the journal Circulation, suggests that Americans are unlikely to make significant health and lifestyle changes over the next three decades to reduce their risk of these health problems. The report also predicts that the rate of diabetes will rise from 16% in 2020 to 27% in 2050. Obesity is expected to affect 61% of people by 2050, up from 43% in 2020. High blood pressure will impact 61% of adults. While there are some positive changes expected, such as more people getting enough physical activity, 1 in 4 people will still not have a healthy activity level by 2050. Cigarette smoking is predicted to decline, but 8% of people will likely still smoke. Dietary changes are not widely expected, and an estimated 150 million people in the U.S. will eat what the association considers a poor diet. The researchers also highlighted that systemic racism and access to healthcare would be significant drivers of the predicted rise in CVD. They found larger increases in the prevalence of CVD and risk factors among people from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. This is partly due to demographic shifts, with projections suggesting that Asian and Hispanic populations will nearly double by 2060. However, much of the inequity in CVD and risk factors remains attributed to systemic racism, socioeconomic factors, and access to care. With the increased prevalence of cardiovascular health problems and rising healthcare costs, the cost of providing care for people with CVD is predicted to reach nearly $1.5 trillion, plus an additional economic impact of $361 billion in loss of productivity annually.