Non-communicable chronic diseases, or NCDs, are long-lasting health conditions that do not spread from person to person. Unlike infections caused by viruses or bacteria, NCDs develop over time – often without obvious symptoms in their early stages. They can quietly progress for years before becoming clinically apparent, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “silent” diseases.
NCDs are influenced by a combination of diet, lifestyle, environmental, behavioral, genetic, and metabolic factors. Poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic stress are among the common contributors. Over time, these factors can cause damage at the cellular and systemic levels – leading to inflammation, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, or other imbalances that gradually impair organ function and increase disease risk.
Because many NCDs evolve slowly, early warning signs are often overlooked or attributed to aging or lifestyle stress. For example, high blood pressure may not cause noticeable symptoms until it leads to a stroke or heart attack. Similarly, insulin resistance can exist for years before a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. By the time symptoms appear, significant internal damage may have already occurred – making early detection, screening, and prevention efforts critically important.
In the United States, NCDs account for the majority of healthcare spending and chronic disease burden affecting nearly 50% of the population. In the last 20 years, the prevalence has increased by 7–8 million every five years. Today, an estimated 133 million Americans live with at least one chronic condition – 15 million more than a decade ago – with projections reaching 170 million by 2030. Conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes continue to place escalating demands on families, employers, and health systems, accounting for over 85% of total healthcare expenditures. [American Hospital Association]
Despite their widespread and often devastating impact, many noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are preventable – or manageable – when detected early. Smarter screening and smarter diagnostic testing are important for early intervention. Evidence-based strategies can dramatically reduce the risk of developing NCDs by addressing diet, lifestyle and environmental factors.
Public health efforts that prioritize early detection and prevention are essential to reversing the rising burden of chronic disease – and improving health outcomes for current and future generations.
Prevention works best when patients and providers work together—building a trusted partnership that combines medical expertise with your active participation in care.
MADP’s testing recommendations are guided by respected organizations, including the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), National Lipid Association (NLA), Cleveland Clinic Heart Lab (now Quest Diagnostics), and Labcorp.
MADP recommendations encourage going beyond routine labs to include expanded testing for inflammation, cardiometabolic risk, insulin resistance, and advanced lipid markers—critical for identifying early drivers of chronic disease.
By looking deeper, patients and providers gain a clearer, more personalized picture of health. This approach supports earlier action, tailored prevention strategies, and better long-term outcomes.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, despite decades of progress in cholesterol management and risk reduction. Yet a critical – and preventable – gap persists.
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a genetically inherited risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease and aortic valve stenosis that is not routinely screened in standard care. Without Lp(a) screening, many high-risk individuals remain undetected.
MADP Call to Action – Help Us Close the Gap
MADP welcomes you to help us support this important once-in-a-lifetime Lp(a) screening for all adults as part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment. Share this important information with friends and family – and get tested.
Early identification enables:
Together, these measures offer a life-saving opportunity to prevent premature, early-age cardiovascular events, reduce health disparities, and improve long-term health outcomes.
Precision medicine is reshaping cancer prevention by identifying inherited and acquired risk before cancer develops — creating opportunities for earlier detection and more effective prevention.
Genetic testing is no longer limited to specialists. Many primary care providers can incorporate genetic testing into preventive care to help identify patients at higher risk for certain cancers, cardiovascular conditions, and other serious health issues. When used appropriately, these tests can guide earlier screening, lifestyle changes, and targeted medical interventions that may prevent disease or detect it at its earliest, most treatable stage.
For example, identifying inherited conditions such as Lynch syndrome — caused by mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes — can help detect increased lifetime risk for colorectal, endometrial, and several other cancers. Individuals with Lynch syndrome often develop colorectal cancer at a younger age, sometimes before age 50. When identified early, enhanced screening, including earlier and more frequent colonoscopy, can significantly reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes.
Your primary care provider may consult with or refer you to a genetic counselor to ensure informed guidance. Together, they can select the most appropriate tests and develop a prevention and screening plan tailored to your personal and family history.
MADP can provide a list of recommended genetic testing options to discuss with your healthcare provider. These laboratories are CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited, meeting rigorous clinical standards and widely used by specialists and leading healthcare systems.
For more comprehensive information on additional testing and preventive resources, MADP is here for you every step of the way – helping you navigate and advocate with patient-supportive resources and guides, accessible in our MADP Patient Support Hub. You are not alone.
“The American Lipid Association and recommends measuring Lipoprotein(a) at least once in a lifetime to identify individuals with inherited elevations that increase the risk of premature cardiovascular disease.”
~ American Lipid Association
“The American College of Cardiology recognizes Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve stenosis.”
~ American College of Cardiology
“Genetic testing can help determine whether you have inherited gene changes that increase your risk of certain cancers, allowing for earlier screening and preventive strategies.”
~ Mayo Clinic Health System
