Event Archive
Dr. Michael Parkinson keynotes Toledo chronic disease forum
Toledo health experts discuss local initiatives to address chronic disease prevention and management
September 12, 2008
Michael D. Parkinson, MD, MPH, FACPM, president of the American College of Preventive Medicine delivered the keynote address during a Toledo community forum on chronic disease. The forum, titled “The Impact of Chronic Disease: Economy, Health, Community” was sponsored by the Ohio chapter of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) – a national effort that is raising awareness of the impact of chronic disease on the nation’s health care system. The event also was presented by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, the University of Toledo and the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio.
“We have a ‘sick care’ system, not a health care system in this country. That’s why this diverse coalition is sounding the alarm and calling for action,” said Parkinson. “Despite any differences we may have on other issues, we all agree on a single, undeniable fact: 130 million people suffer from chronic diseases in our nation, and costs are skyrocketing because of preventable and poorly managed chronic diseases. We can – and we must – do something to stop it.”
Dr. Parkinson presented the “Six Unhealthy Truths of the Rise of Chronic Disease.” They are:
- Chronic diseases are the No. 1 cause of death and disability in the U.S.
- Patients with chronic diseases account for 75 percent of the nation’s health care spending.
- Two-thirds of the increase in health care spending is due to increased prevalence of treated chronic disease.
- The doubling of obesity between 1987 and today accounts for nearly 30 percent of the rise in health care spending.
- The vast majority of cases of chronic disease could be better prevented or managed.
- Many Americans are unaware of the extent to which chronic disease harms their health – and their wallets.
Dr. Parkinson’s remarks also addressed how chronic disease impacts employers’ health care costs and employee benefits. Dr. Parkinson outlined the Institute of Medicine’s Characteristics of a Healthy Workforce, which encourages employees to maintain a healthy, productive, ready and resilient lifestyle in order to achieve optimal well-being and performance.
During the forum event, a panel of local health professionals discussed examples of initiatives underway to address chronic disease prevention and management. The panelists were:
- Dr. Jeffrey Gold, Provost and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean, College of Medicine, the University of Toledo
- Bruce Davis, Health and Group Benefits Consulting National Practice Leader, Findley Davies
- Dr. Donna Woodson, President, Toledo‐Lucas County Board of Health Family, Physician and Community Medical Faculty Member, College of Medicine, the University of Toledo
- Dr. James Price, Health Education Faculty Member, College of Health Science and Human Service, the University of Toledo
According to a study conducted by the Milken Institute, seven chronic diseases—cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions and mental illness—have a total impact on Ohio’s economy of nearly $56.8 billion annually. Of this amount, $43.4 billion represents the cost of lost productivity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates chronic diseases are responsible for seven out of every 10 deaths in the U.S. – killing more than 1.7 million Americans every year. Chronic diseases are also the primary driver of health care costs, accounting for more than 75 percent of the $2 trillion dollars spent each year on health care in the United States.
For more information on the PFCD, please visit www.fightchronicdisease.org.
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