WHAT: Chronic, non-communicable diseases now account for more than 83 percent of the $3.8 trillion the U.S. spends on health care. In Medicare, 98 percent of program spending – about $487 billion – goes toward serving patients suffering from multiple chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. In Oregon, nearly 60 percent of those 65 and older suffer from two or more chronic conditions.
On Tuesday, October 21 at Oregon Health & Science University, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and local health care leaders will participate in an interactive forum entitled, “Chronic Disease – Solving the Public Health Epidemic.” The forum will examine the social and economic impact of chronic disease and explore efforts underway to solve this growing problem. The forum is being presented by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD).
Senator Wyden will co-moderate the forum and provide opening remarks highlighting the economic and public health challenges that chronic disease creates for patients and providers alike. His comments will also reflect the need for serious reform of the way care is paid for and provided to patients nationwide. Senator Wyden has made chronic care reform his health care priority and has previously introduced legislation specifically focused on the chronically ill that would change the way care is provided and paid for.
Ken Thorpe, PhD, Chairman of the PFCD and Chair of the Department of Health Policy & Management in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, will also serve as a co-moderator and provide a national perspective on the challenges stemming from chronic disease. Several other local experts in the fight against chronic disease will serve as co-sponsors of the event and as participants during a “solutions-focused” discussion.
Local co-sponsors include: AARP Oregon, the American Diabetes Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter, CareOregon, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, One in Four Chronic Health and the Oregon Medical Association.
WHO: U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
Ken Thorpe, PhD, Chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
Representatives from AARP Oregon, the American Diabetes Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter, CareOregon, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, One in Four Chronic Health and the Oregon Medical Association.
VISUALS:
· Interactive discussion forum focused on ways to prevent chronic disease.
· Sound bites and interviews with Senator Wyden, Dr. Thorpe and local health care leaders including AARP Oregon, the American Diabetes Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter, CareOregon, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, One in Four Chronic Health and the Oregon Medical Association.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 21, 2014
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE: OHSU, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
Vey Auditorium, 10th Floor Conference Center
700 S.W. Campus Drive
Portland, OR 97239
Local experts to join Oct. 21 discussion on chronic disease prevention
October 16, 2014
