AMCNO President-Elect Sends Message to Congress for the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD)

Dr. Laura David, President-elect of the AMCNO provided an interview for posting on the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) website. Interviews were conducted around the state of Ohio and nationally to create videos for Congressional leaders to raise awareness about the need to address the treatment of chronic diseases as part of health care reform. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a national coalition of patients, physicians, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the policies and practices that save lives and reduce health costs through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease.

The partnership is confronting chronic disease through a three-tiered approach that includes:

  • Educating the public about chronic diseases and potential solutions for individuals and communities

  • Mobilizing Americans to call for change in how governments, employers and health institutions approach chronic disease

  • Challenging policymakers on the health policy changes that are necessary to effectively fight chronic disease

The PFCD was established to change the way America addresses the leading cause of death and rising healthcare costs: chronic disease. Chronic diseases, such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, affect the quality of life for 133 million Americans and are responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in the U.S. – killing more than 1.7 million Americans every year. They are also the primary driver of health care costs – accounting for more than 75 cents of every dollar we spend on health care in this country. With the aging of the population and rising rates of childhood obesity, it is critical that America addresses chronic disease now. The PFCD seeks to ensure that policymakers, communities, and individuals have the information they need to make the right decisions regarding health and health policy.

The AMCNO is an active partner in the PCFD. To view the statement on the PCFD website provided by Dr. Laura David sent on behalf of the AMCNO go to: http://www.sayyestohealthreform.com/2009/09/24/dr-laura-david-of-cleveland-ohio/