PFCD In the News
Follow news stories about the partnership and its fight against chronic disease.
One ounce here cuts pounds later
Gloucester County Times (NJ) | Sept. 14, 2008
New Jersey's civic, faith-based and government organizations deserve applause for joining forces to increase awareness of chronic diseases. Heart disease, asthma, cancer and diabetes are among the most prevalent medical maladies to affect Americans.
More effort on preventing chronic disease is urged
Toledo Blade | Sept. 13, 2008
Asthma, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases — which affect 133 million Americans, including 7 million Ohioans — account for three-fourths of U.S. health care spending, expected to reach nearly $2.4 trillion this year.
Thompson looks back on 'dumb strategy' in Iowa
Cedar Rapids Gazette | Sept. 2, 2008
Since then, George W. Bush's former secretary of Health and Human Services has been working with the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. The group believes the strength and viability of the health care system lies in policies that help Americans better prevent and manage chronic illnesses.pshire."
Letter to the Editor: Jacob wrong on cost vs benefit
Star-Telegram (TX) | Sept. 1, 2008
I disagree with Steve Jacob’s generalization that prevention and chronic disease management programs cost more than they save. Well-designed prevention programs not only save money, but they make it easier to address the challenge of covering the uninsured. (See: "A tall order that’s becoming increasingly tough to meet," Aug. 24)
First day of the RNC
Quad City Times | Sept. 1, 2008
The featured speaker, in fact, was former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who is co-chair of Wisconsin’s chapter of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. Thompson, while talking up Republicans’ self reliance, gave a mostly apolitical speech. Most of the time he focused on the postition wellness will occupy as a part of health care reform and the need for people to live healthier lifestyles.
Tom Troy blogs the Denver Convention
Toledo Blade | August 27, 2008
James Ruvolo, former Ohio state Democratic chairman, is working the convention as a consultant for the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, which is trying to get both parties to adopt platform language aimed at having insurance pay for disease prevention, not just disease treatment.
New Almanac confronts the high costs of chronic disease
The Nation’s Health (APhA) | August 27, 2008
Today, more than 130 million Americans are living with one or more chronic diseases, with more than 75 cents of every health care dollar going toward treating such conditions, most of which are preventable. But current chronic disease costs are little when compared to the price the nation could pay in the future, according to a report released in June by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Democratic platform on health: It's not just the uninsured
Los Angeles Times: Booster Shots Blog | August 25, 2008
For the first time since healthcare has been written into political platforms, people are proposing ideas that look beyond the bottom line issue of how to deal with the problem of the uninsured. The new U.S. Census Bureau national statistics on health insurance are due out Aug. 26, and many experts believe they will show an increase over last year's 47 million uninsured Americans.
I-95 Corridor Health Fair provides tests, information about disease
Times & Democrat | August 9, 2008
Anthony Quattrone, state director of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, addressed the organization’s efforts to prevent, delay or alleviate chronic diseases through simple changes in behavior and lifestyle and through more aggressive management of chronic disease.
"We urge everyone to join the fight against preventable chronic disease," Quattrone said.
Letter: Health-care costs
Philadelphia Inquirer | August 10, 2008
By using the challenge of the uninsured as the focus to examine the plans of Barack Obama and John McCain, The Inquirer misses the actual cause of what ails our health care system: high costs ("No miracle cures," Aug. 3).
Letter: Time to be heard on health-care crisis
Nashua Telegraph | August 11, 2008
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease estimates total costs related to chronic disease in New Hampshire, including direct expenditures (i.e. health care costs) and indirect costs (i.e. lost productivity) amount to $3.3 billion annually.
Could health IT revolutionize US healthcare?
MedPolitics (Blog) | July 30th, 2008
I interviewed former Congresswoman, Nancy Johnson (R-Connecticut), about her views on health information technology (IT). I first met Ms. Johnson at the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease conference in Washington, DC, and I was so intrigued with her perspectives that I arranged a follow-up interview at Baker Donelson's office where she is a member of the Firm's Federal Public Policy Group.
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease: A young girl shares her story
The Doctor’s Channel | July 11, 2008
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease is a national coalition of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups and health policy experts, committed to raising awareness of policies and practices that save lives and reduce health costs through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease.
Letter: Fighting a silent killer
The New York Times | July 8, 2008
Re “Diabetes: Underrated, Insidious, and Deadly” (July 1): The American attitude toward diabetes is simply an extension of how chronic diseases in general are viewed in the U.S. These “underrated” conditions pose a serious threat to not only our health, but also the solvency of our health care system. We need a solution to this very real epidemic. It’s admirable that organizations like the American Diabetes Association are taking steps to increase public awareness, but the greater responsibility for implementing change falls to our elected leaders.
Despite cost of obesity, employers reluctant to tackle issue
Ohio Health Policy Review | June 24, 2008
Despite its proven impact on a company’s bottom line, obesity is a subject most employers shy away from addressing.
According to Kenneth Thorpe, a professor of public health at Emory University, and three colleagues, obesity accounted for 27 percent of the increase in medical costs from 1987 to 2001 and according to a report from the Conference Board and research institute RTI International, it costs companies $45 billion a year.
Chronic disease should be top priority
New Hampshire Business Review | June 20, 2008
In the United States, we spend more money each year maintaining our cars than we do maintaining our health. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this country spends less per person on preventive health than the cost of an oil change.
Patients are the key to reducing chronic disease in America
Dr. Val and the Voice of Reason | June 17, 2008
Ken Thorpe, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, and is admired and respected by many of the "movers and shakers" in Washington. The outpouring of appreciation for his work was quite evident during the recent half day-conference entitled, "Fighting Chronic Disease: The Missing Link In Health Reform." I had the chance to speak with Ken to get his thoughts on chronic disease and health reform.
Life expectancies for S.C. woman in poor areas getting shorter
South Carolina Now | June 17, 2008
The crisis in South Carolina, according to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, is chronic disease. If you live here, chances are you will die or suffer a disability because of it. In fact, health experts consider the Palmetto State to be in a chronic disease crisis with nearly 1.5 million residents afflicted.
Coverage for uninsured must also address chronic disease
Cleveland Call & Post | June 11, 2008
Even if you do not suffer from a chronic disease, it’s a virtual certainty that someone very close to you is dealing with a chronic disease such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, mental disorders, pulmonary conditions, or stroke.
Death rates plunge, but chronic disease rises
Chicago Tribune (Blog) | June 11, 2008
A new organization, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, is trying to make this a key health care issue in the upcoming presidential election. An impressive group of leaders is involved, including former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona and the former administrator of Medicare, Dr. Mark McClellan.
A 2008 campaign flash point
Politico | June 10, 2008
In recent years, more than a half-dozen deep-pocketed, big-name coalitions have been formed to push health care back onto the national agenda in Congress and in the White House. Among them are: The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, which has spent the past year meeting with presidential candidates’ advisers to offer policy ideas for overhauling the health care system.
Vermont showcases Obama's health care plan
Politico | June 10, 2008
"I laid out these facts and saw Democrats and Republicans looking at each other," said Thorpe, who also heads the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a lobbying coalition pushing policymakers to focus on chronic care management.
US Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
MortenCopenhagen (Blog) | June 10, 2008
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a national, bi-partisan coalition of 110 patients, providers, 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.
Fighting chronic disease in Washington
BizCentral (Blog | June 9, 2008
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) and the Emory University Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions sponsored the conference, which addressed many issues surrounding healthcare reform. Three panels debated about chronic disease prevention and management, health care in the 2008 Presidential Election, and what the next administration needs to do to move health reform around fighting chronic disease.
REFORM: Bringing Down Chronic Disease
New Health Dialogue Blog (New America Foundation)| June 9, 2008
When asked why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton supposedly said "because that's where the money is." Ask health reform advocate Ken Thorpe why he spends so much of his time on chronic disease and he'll probably tell you the same thing: that's where the money is—about $1.58 trillion according to the CDC.
The Missing Link in Healthcare Reform
Dr. Val and the Voice of Reason (Blog) | June 7, 2008
I recently attended a halfy-day conference, "Fighting Chronic Disease: The Missing Link In Health Care Reform" sponsored by Emory University and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD). It was an extremely well run event with an all-star political cast: Tom Daschle, Dick Gephardt, Dr. Mark McClellan, and Nancy Johnson were present.
Health care legislation might not top next administration's agenda, former house leader says
Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report | June 6, 2008
Legislation that would overhaul the U.S. health care system might take a back seat to other issues for the next administration, former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) said Thursday at a health care policy forum, CQ HealthBeat reports. The forum was sponsored by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Diseases and Emory University's Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions.
Employers have new online source for health programs
Dayton Daily News | June 5, 2008
Revamping U.S. health care may take back burner next year, experts say (Subscription only)
CQ Healthbeat News | June 5, 2008
Concerns over the ongoing war in Iraq, the economy and the environment may be more immediate concerns for the next president, former House Majority Leader Rep. Richard A. Gephardt, D-Mo., said at a forum sponsored by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease and the Emory University Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions.
Governor’s Health Care Panel Advises Medicaid Expansions, Requiring Ohioans Purchase Private Insurance (Subscription only)
Gongwer’s Ohio Report | May 30, 2008
Ohio this week to draw attention to the impact of chronic diseases on health care costs and the quality of life, according to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Obama faces swing-state dilemma as he nears nomination
Associated Press | May 28, 2008
Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General under President Bush, holds a community forum in Columbus Thursday as part of a presidential year effort to raise awareness about chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
City urged to fight chronic disease, its consequences
The Columbus Dispatch | May 30, 2008
Groups Calls for Fighting Chronic Disease
Greenville News | May 24, 2008
"When we talk about health-care reform in this country and how to make health care more affordable, we must focus on the No. 1 driver of costs -- preventable and poorly managed chronic diseases," John Robitscher, partnership advisory board member, said in a statement.Â
Life expectancy for women decline in parts of SC
Associated Press | May 23, 2008
Health advocates say life expectancy rates for women in 18 of South Carolina's 46 counties either went down or stayed the same during a recent 16-year span. Researchers blamed life expectancy drops on high blood pressure and chronic diseases related to smoking and obesity, such as lung cancer and diabetes.
Live blog: Health-care reform at the state level
The Plain Dealer | May 22, 2008
The killer sofa and chronic disease
Austin American-Statesman | May 16, 2008
The HSC Foundation is not a part of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, but their message is the same: If Americans want to get serious about controlling health care spending, they need to control their lifestyles.
Diet, exercise and no smoking, could prevent the onset of chronic conditions and dramatically lower the amount spent on health care. And it could save huge amounts of money for Medicare, said Kenneth E. Thorpe, the partnership’s executive director and chairman of Emory University’s Department of Health Policy and Management.
Reports Highlights Prevalence, Cost of Chronic Disease (Subscription only)
CQ HealthBeat | May 15, 2008
Chronic diseases affect more than 130 million Americans each year, are responsible for seven in 10 deaths and account for more than 75 cents of every dollar spent on health care, according to a report released Thursday from the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Teenager fighting to knock out chronic disease
Garfield Community News| May 7, 2008
The New Jersey Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease was launched at two news conferences on April 15. Among the attendees was Sarah Yourman, a Fair Lawn High School student who is a cystic fibrosis, diabetes and Crohri's Disease patient.
John McCain's remarks at the Cleveland Clinic
The Plain Dealer | May 1, 2008
Chronic conditions -- such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma -- account for three-quarters of the nation's annual health-care bill.
Letter: Chronic disease must be addressed
Greenville News | April 26, 2008
Health care is a quality-of-life issue, but it is also undeniably an economic issue. A recent study by the Milken Institute says that the annual economic impact on South Carolina of the most common chronic diseases is nearly $17 billion.
Letter: Adopt a few simple healthy habits to get most out of your life
USA Today | April 25. 2008
USA TODAY's article "Life spans decline in some U.S. areas" highlights a scary fact: Despite all the money we spend on health care in the USA, some Americans are living shorter lives than just a decade ago, largely due to poor health behaviors and lifestyle choices (Life, Tuesday).
Properly funded health programs vital
The Plain Dealer| April 23, 2008
New Jersey Leaders Join Forces to Battle Chronic Disease
Yahoo News | April 16, 2008
Stressing the major toll that chronic diseases take on the state's health care system, a broad, bipartisan coalition of influential New Jersey residents in the health care, business, labor and faith communities yesterday launched New Jersey Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD), a coalition committed to making chronic disease the key health care issue for current legislators, policy makers and candidates in the upcoming elections.
Letter to the editor: Response to “In the Balance”
Washington Post |
April 15, 2008
While it may sometimes be true that prevention costs more than treatment, we should not be reduced to perceiving health benefits only in terms of the cost of investment. Instead we must consider the value of our investments in health to individuals as well as to society.
Letter: Chronic illnesses
Post and Courier | April 15, 2008
Health care is a quality of life issue, but it is also a serious economic issue. A recent study by the Milken Institute says that the annual economic impact on South Carolina of the most common chronic diseases is nearly $17 billion.
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
The State | April 15, 2008
The principle is simple: Chronic diseases can be prevented, modified or controlled with the appropriate patient and medical attention, and therefore, future health crises may be averted.
We all understand that economic growth in South Carolina has slowed and there is a crucial need to control state expenditures.
Anthem adds to disease coverage
Dayton Daily News| April 10, 2008
Ohioans spent $13.5 billion in 2003 for treating seven common chronic diseases — cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, mental disorders and pulmonary conditions — the Milken Institute reported in October. Another $43.4 billion from lost workdays and lower productivity at work brought the total tab to $56.8 billion, or $65.3 billion in today's dollars.
Chronic Disease Costs Ohio $56.8B Annually (Subscription only)
Youngstown Business Journal | April 1, 2008
The annual economic impact on Ohio's economy of the most common chronic diseases is calculated to be $56.8 billion, according to a study by the Milken Institute. In the U.S. as a whole, the cost is a staggering $1 trillion, which could balloon to nearly $6 trillion by the middle of the century. Much of this cost, however, may be avoidable.
Americans skip medical care because of cost, AFL-CIO survey says The Plain Dealer |March 26, 2008
The California-based Milken Institute, an economic think tank, recently released a study on the economic costs of Americans living with common chronic diseases and is pushing for more prevention and early treatment. It showed that the cost to Ohio's economy is nearly $57 billion a year and to the nation about $1 trillion.
A chronic problem, and expensive, too
Crain’s Cleveland Business | March 24, 2008
Unhealthy Workers Cost Ohio Billions
The Daily Reporter | March 24, 2008
A new study released last week by the Milken Institute shows the annual economic impact on Ohio's economy by the most common chronic diseases is approximately $56.8 billion.
According to "An Unhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease," of that $56.8 billion, much of it, about $43.4 billion, represents the cost of lost productivity.
Deadly omission
Akron Beacon Journal| March 23, 2008
A second report released last week, by the Milken Institute, buttressed the findings of Families USA, concluding that the cost of chronic diseases totals $57 billion a year in Ohio, due to treatment and lost productivity. The study argued the sum could be reduced by $40 billion through basic preventive care.
Chronic diseases cost Ohio $57 billion a year, study says
Cleveland Plain Dealer | March 21, 2008
Seven chronic diseases - cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, lung diseases and mental illness - have a total impact on Ohio's economy of $56.8 billion annually, and more than $43 billion of that is the cost of lost productivity, according to the study.
Chronic diseases burdening Ohio's economy, expert says
Columbus Dispatch | March 21, 2008
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease launched an Ohio chapter, the fourth state chapter in the nation, to expand the health-care debate beyond coverage and financing to preventive care and chronic-disease management.
Researchers: 7 chronic diseases cost Ohio $56B
Dayton Daily News| March 21, 2008
Study Highlights Costs of Chronic Disease
WCPN Radio| March 21, 2008
Chronic disease costs Ohioans $57 billion each year
WKYC.com| March 21, 2008
Chronic Disease Costs Ohio $57 Billion A Year, Study Says (Subscription only)
Gongwer’s Ohio Report | March 20, 2008
The seven most common chronic diseases afflicting Ohioans cost the state's economy nearly $57 billion a year, but much of that is avoidable, according to a recent study.
Letter: More details, Sen. McCain
Concord Monitor |
March 19, 2008
Policymakers must address what is putting our children at risk. Why are the rates of asthma, diabetes, cancer and obesity in children higher than ever before? If Sen. McCain does become president, I hope he's capable of addressing the truth that this may be the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
Blog: Chronic disease is culprit of high medical costs
Milwaukee Small Business Times | March 13, 2008
One of the country's largest health care reform campaigns has set its sights on Wisconsin. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) launched in Wisconsin at the end of February with the intention of refocusing the health care debate both in the state and at the national level.
Few health plans pay for physicians’ times
Dayton Daily News | March 3, 2008
"We're sending the wrong financial signals," Emory University health economist Kenneth E. Thorpe said. As co-chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Thorpe wants to change the fee structure that resists measures to keep diabetes from flaring up, but readily pays billions more a year for kidney dialysis or foot amputations when it does.
Some argue health care focus is off
Dayton Daily News | March 3, 2008
"Everybody's been focusing on the wrong problem," said Kenneth E. Thorpe, the Emory University (Ga.) health economist and Democratic consultant. He's national co-chair, with two former Bush Administration officials, of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Green Bay may join public health initiative
Green Bay Press-Gazette | March 1, 2008
A program similar to the Sustainable Green Bay Initiative — only directed at public health, rather than energy savings — could be in the city's near future, Mayor Jim Schmitt said Friday. His announcement came at a press conference about state participation in a national initiative called the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. It
Chronic ills seen as focal point to reform health care
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | March 1, 2008
To Kenneth Thorpe, focusing on the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and their cost could be the starting point in building bipartisan support for health care reform.
Focusing on chronic disease can reduce health care costs
La Crosse Tribune | February 29, 2008
Members of a state and national bipartisan coalition — Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease — held a press conference in La Crosse to talk about their efforts to make chronic disease the major health care issue in the 2008 presidential election.
Signs of tonight's debate are few
Cleveland Plain Dealer | February 26, 2008
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a national bipartisan coalition of health care, business and labor groups, will be sporting signs near the Wolstein center at around 6 p.m.
Chronic diseases put Americans at risk
Columbus Dispatch | February 25, 2008
Ohio PFCD partner James R. Castle, President and CEO of the Ohio Hospital Association of Columbus, authored this letter to the editor on chronic disease.
Ex-surgeon general says change needed
Post and Courier | February 22, 2008
"The health-care system needs to find a way to make money by keeping people healthy, Thorpe said. Chronic disease accounts for 75 cents of every health-care dollar spent. The "revolving door of health care" is breaking the system, he said.
Crucial conversation
Akron Beacon Journal | February 2, 2008
The focus on the chronically ill is not misplaced. Chronic conditions account for 75 percent of health care spending, according to the advocacy group, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
PFCD partner Suzanne Mintz interviewed on NPR
NPR: Morning Edition | January 30, 2008
Suzanne Mintz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association, discusses her recently released book, "A Family Caregiver Speaks Up: "It Doesn't Have to Be This Hard" with Terry Gross on NPR: Morning Edition.
Legislator proposes subsidies to expand health coverage
Cincinnati Enquirer | January 29, 2008
Chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma account for as much as three-quarters of total health-care spending, and coverage for those with chronic diseases costs five times as much as those without a condition, according to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Opinion: 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' - Benjamin Franklin
Arizona Daily Star | January 19, 2008
PFCD Chairman Dr. Richard H. Carmona writes, " The Arizona Legislature reconvened last week and I had the honor of addressing the Senate on opening day. I want to reach out to our elected leaders and to my fellow Arizonans on an issue that is overlooked and underappreciated: prevention."
Bloomberg decries health care leadership
Associated Press | January 18, 2008
The event at an Austin hospital was to talk health care with Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion cyclist, and former surgeon general Richard Carmona. Carmona is leading a coalition of health groups trying to get presidential candidates to address chronic health issues.
Letter to the editor: Chronic disease prevention saves money
Des Moines Register | January 18, 2008
"The Register's Dec. 31 editorial, "Get Specific in Fight Against Chronic Disease," offers constructive suggestions for reducing the cost burden of chronic disease on our health-care system," write PFCD Iowa co-chairs former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Sarah Swisher, director of Iowa for Health Care and political director for SEIU Iowa.
Comparing the Candidates on Something that Really Matters
Palmetto Scoop | January 17, 2008
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a group that has truly endeared themselves to us for their hard work in raising awareness about critical health care issues, is set to release its voter guide on the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates Friday.Â
A Health Care Voter Guide For South Carolina
Fits News | January 17, 2008
"We’re not the brightest bulbs in the house over here, so it took us nearly a day to realize that somebody posted an advance copy of the health care voter guide (put out by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease) on our website yesterday…We’ve been poring over the guide and we’re pretty impressed by how thorough it is, and we wished we had realized earlier what a great scoop a FITS’ reader had sent our way.
Why We’re Passionate About Chronic Disease
Fits News | January 14, 2006
Given South Carolina’s abysmal health care situation, it’s no surprise that the subject of preventative disease has been high on the radar screen of Republican and Democratic presidential candidates currently courting Palmetto State voters.
Specific Answers Needed on Chronic Illnesses
The State| January 6, 2008
"America should guarantee everyone health care, regardless of ability to pay, but you don’t need to be a health economist to realize the wasteful system in place needs overhaul. We must demand it. We shouldn’t allow presidential candidates to simply join the band that grunts out a few compassionate notes for the sick and plays a conciliatory tune for lobbyists.”
Get specific in fight against chronic disease
Des Moines Register | December 31, 2007
"On January 3rd, you can do more than just shape the race for president: You can reshape our approach to health care." So begins an advertisement landing in mailboxes around Iowa, paid for by an organization called the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Rivals vie to operate on costly healthcare
Financial Times | December 19, 2007
"Focusing on prevention rather than systems of financing is the best way to build a bipartisan consensus for reform," said Ken Thorpe, chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a diverse group thatincludes the National Association of Manufacturers and the Service Employees' International Union.
Deadly diabetes
Akron Beacon Journal | December 17, 2007
Treating these ailments is not inexpensive. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a national health-care advocacy group that recently launched an Ohio chapter, reports that 75 percent of the $2 trillion spent on health care in America in 2005 went toward treating chronic disease.
Ex-Mayor Ford announces he is undergoing kidney dialysis
Toledo Blade | December 15, 2007
Mr. Ford is also a member of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, an organization of leading experts and organizations in the health care, business, and labor communities that launched nationally in May and opened a chapter in Ohio last month.
Celebs, business lobby tackle health care
The Politico | December 3, 2007
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a bipartisan organization headed by health experts from the Bush and Clinton administrations, is also weighing in on the issue. But, unlike the Divided We Fail campaign, its goal is to develop a reform plan that could be a road map for the next administration and draw bipartisan support in Congress.
Editorial: Chronic problem
Columbus Dispatch | November 18, 2007
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a coalition of the health-care industry, business and labor, is campaigning to ensure that every presidential candidate addresses the problem of chronic disease.
New coalition enters statewide health-care debate
Columbus Dispatch | November 14, 2007
Health-care, business and labor have joined to form the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. Ohio was the fourth state to launch a chapter of the national group, which is trying to focus attention on preventive care and management of chronic diseases.
You get what you pay for, and we’re paying for the wrong things
The State | November 14, 2007
That’s why an impressive group of public health, medical, business, labor, insurance and civic organizations is working this campaign season to get the public and the presidential candidates focused on The Big Seven chronic diseases. And that’s why the most important proposal from the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease is to “refocus our health system on preventing, detecting, and managing chronic disease.”
Chronic disease is the starting place for serious health care reform
Xenia Daily Gazette | November 13, 2007
If our presidential candidates are serious about health care reform, they must start with chronic disease. In America, 133 million people have a chronic disease.
N.H.’s chronic disease price tag: $5.4b
New Hampshire Business Review | November 9, 2007
The study, “An Unhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease,” was released by the Milken Institute and unveiled Thursday at a University of New Hampshire forum presented by UNH’s Carsey Institute and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Iowa Democrats, Republicans join former Surgeon General in healthcare pledge against chronic disease
Radio Iowa - November 8, 2007
Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona met with leaders of the Iowa Democrat and Republican parties today and those leaders agreed to join an effort to fight chronic disease. Doctor Carmona says the effort needs to be at the forefront of the healthcare debate among presidential candidates.
The Big Seven chronic diseases share a common thread, or two
The State | November 8, 2007
The folks at the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease have been working very hard to get the public, and through the public the presidential candidates, focused on The Big Seven — seven chronic diseases that consume the bulk of our health care spending and will suck ever more life out of our society and economy until we decide to manage or prevent them.
For your health
Foster's Daily Democrat | November 4, 2007
The Carsey Institute and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease will co-host a public forum on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from noon to 1 p.m. to discuss the preliminary results of a Milken Institute study on the economic burden of chronic disease on the United States and the State of New Hampshire.
Chronic disease enters political arena
Columbus Dispatch | November 3, 2007
Health-care, business and labor groups have joined a coalition to focus attention on the leading cause of skyrocketing health-care costs -- chronic disease. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, already busy in early primary and caucus states, launched its fourth chapter in Ohio on Thursday with backing from two dozen groups.
Health agency aims to reduce chronic illness
Toledo Blade | November 1, 2007
The Ohio chapter of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease is announcing its establishment today during a news conference featuring community leaders including Jack Ford, Toledo's former mayor.
National Chronic Disease Coalition Launches New Ohio Chapter (Subscription only)
Gongwer’s Ohio Report | November 1, 2007
A national health policy group chose Ohio as their fourth state to prescribe wellness, screenings, early intervention, and disease management as the cure to chronic disease.
Chronic disease costs: $1 trillion a year
Columbus Dispatch | October 31, 2007
A coalition of patients, health care groups, business and labor are coming together in Ohio to urge the 2008 presidential candidates and other leaders to focus on the leading cause of skyrocketing health care costs: chronic disease.
Candidates to be lobbied on fighting chronic diseases
The Columbus Dispatch | October 30, 2007
As the 2008 election nears, a coalition of patients, health-care groups, business and labor is coming together in Ohio to push the candidates to focus on chronic disease. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, already busy in early primary and caucus states, will launch an Ohio chapter this week.
GOP advisers emphasize affordable coverage as health overhaul goal
CQ Healthbeat | October 25, 2007
Advisers to GOP presidential hopefuls played up affordable health insurance as the goal of their bosses’ health overhaul plans at a Washington forum Thursday, with none spontaneously volunteering universal coverage as a priority.
Listening to the surrogate candidates’ health care debate
CQ Healthbeat |
October 23, 2007
Five Democratic presidential health care advisors sitting cheek by jowl on a rostrum at a Washington forum Tuesday mainly kept their elbows pinned to their sides, and, for the most part, only jabbed over which of their bosses plays best with others.
Costs of illness sicken S.C. But reasonable lifestyle, treatment improvements could save state $19.3 billion a year
The State |
October 23, 2007
Nationally, the most-common chronic diseases are costing our economy more than $1 trillion annually, a figure that could reach $6 trillion by 2050, according to a recently released study by the Milken Institute. The report was produced for the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a coalition of patient groups, medical providers, business and labor. The partnership is working to make efforts to curb chronic disease a key health-care issue in the 2008 presidential election.
7 diseases take a costly toll on Utahns
Deseret Morning News |
October 10, 2007
In a telephone press conference outlining the findings, former U.S. Surgeon Gen. Dr. Richard H. Carmona, now chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, called the economic burden "staggering." Steps taken to prevent chronic disease are actually an investment, he said.
Business and labor leaders say it's time to encourage healthier lifestyles
Radio Iowa |
October 4, 2007
Iowa business and labor leaders say a new study shows it's time to encourage more Iowans to live healthier lifestyles so they don't wind up with chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Chronic disease costs "staggering"
CBS News Online |
October 3, 2007
(WebMD) A report released Tuesday concludes that chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease are costing the American economy a whopping $1.3 trillion per year. "The trajectory our nation is on is one that is unsustainable," says Richard Carmona, M.D., a former U.S. Surgeon General who is now chairman of a coalition called the Partnership to Fight Chronic Diseases.
Chronic illness costs economy $1 trillion a year
San Francisco Chronicle |
October 3, 2007
"The public is telling us the No. 1 domestic issue is health," said Dr.Richard Carmona, former U.S. surgeon general and now chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, in a news conference in Washington on Tuesday releasing the report. "The disease burden is mounting, the economic burden is mounting and the trajectory we're on is unsustainable."
Chronic disease tab hits a trillion
Cox News Service |
October 3, 2007
Chronic diseases cost the nation's economy at least $1 trillion a year in lost productivity, and the amount could jump to about $6 trillion by mid-century, according to a report released Tuesday.
Healthy living could save U.S. $1.1 trillion by 2023
Los Angeles Times |
October 3, 2007
The rapid rise in preventable chronic diseases — such as obesity and heart disease — over the past 20 years is hurting U.S. economic productivity, escalating treatment costs and causing unnecessary suffering, a new report says. That’s the bad news.
Chronic disease costs ‘staggering’ illnesses cost economy $1.3 trillion, report shows
WebMD |
October 2, 2007
A report released Tuesday concludes that chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are costing the American economy a whopping $1.3 trillion per year.
Chronic diseases may cost U.S. economy $6 trillion, study says
Bloomberg News |
October 3, 2007
Cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases may shave about $6 trillion from the U.S. economy by 2050 unless steps are taken to prevent the illnesses and encourage healthier lifestyles, a new study found.
Chronic diseases sost nation $1.3 trillion annually
CQ Healthbeat | October 2, 2007
Chronic diseases such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes have an annual economic impact of $1.1 trillion in lost productivity and $277 billion in treatment costs, according to a report released Tuesday by the Milken Institute.
Candidates to be pressed for views on health care
Union Leader |
September 26, 2007
While presidential candidates focus on health insurance plans, three advocacy groups are pressing them for details of their views on health-care quality. "We want this to be a debate topic," said former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. "We are not telling any candidate what to say."
Alliance of public health organizations urges presidential candidates to develop strategies to combat chronic diseases
Kaiser Daily Health Report | September 26, 2007
A group of health care policy experts on Tuesday in Concord, N.H., announced the formation of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a coalition that will encourage presidential candidates and their staffs to include plans to prevent, treat and manage chronic diseases in their health care proposals, the Boston Globe reports.
Push to make chronic disease part of 2008 discussion
Boston Globe | September 25, 2007
A newly formed alliance of public health organizations called the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease argues that chronic illnesses account for 75 cents of every dollar spent on healthcare and are responsible for seven out of every 10 deaths in the country.
Chronic disease group rolls out policy platform for 2008 hopefuls
Associated Press |
September 25, 2007
Presidential hopefuls shouldn't get away with incomplete plans or empty rhetoric in their health care plans, a coalition of experts, activists and doctors said Tuesday. "Hold these presidential aspirants accountable," said Richard Carmona, a former U.S. surgeon general and chairman of The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Citing plight of uninsured cancer patients, cancer society launches ads for health reform
Associated Press | September 16, 2007
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, an 80-organization group formed earlier this year, is placing reform-focused billboards in and around airports and this month used college cheerleaders to voice chronic disease messages outside a presidential candidate debate in New Hampshire.
Ex-Surgeon General Carmona visits
The State | August 27, 2007
Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General, came by Tuesday to promote the worthy agenda of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Coalition takes on chronic disease
Augusta Chronicle | August 22, 2007
The message, though familiar, is worth repeating, former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said Tuesday: This country is killing itself and spending three-quarters of its health-care dollars on chronic diseases that are often preventable: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure.
Health experts give solutions to racial disparities
Baltimore Times | August 20, 2007
Health disparities and chronic illness have long plagued the minority community. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Richard Carmona and Dr. Warren Jones, executive director, Mississippi Institute for the Improvement of Geographical Minority Health Disparities came together to address health disparities as well as discuss possible solutions.
Curbing chronic diseases new issue in health-care politics
McClatchy Newspapers | July 26, 2007
McClatchy writer Tony Pugh writes an exclusive article about the PFCD and its efforts to make chronic disease a key issue in the health care debate. PFCD Executive Director Ken Thorpe is quoted.
Kullgren: Surgeon general nominee fuels divisive politics
Lansing State Journal | July 6, 2007
Excerpt: "Chronic illnesses and the related epidemic of obesity threaten to overwhelm our health-care system unless politicians heed initiatives like the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, which calls for common ground approaches to reverse this trend regardless of who next assumes the Oval Office."
In Search of a Cure: Emory Professor
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | July 1, 2007
America's health care system is the subject of Michael Moore's latest film, "Sicko," which opened Friday in Atlanta. Ken Thorpe, Executive Director of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, was one of four Georgians to share their views of the film and the larger issues it raises.
Chronic Disease; Bipartisan Coalition Forms to Make Chronic Disease the Key Health Care Issue in 2008 Presidential Election
Health & Medicine Week | June 18, 2007
Summary: This Health and Medicine Week article details the Iowa launch of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. The piece states, "Thorpe, along with other high-profile Iowans, including Governors Branstad and Vilsack announced the broad-based effort that aims to change the way our nation approaches chronic disease. Representatives from many of the partner organizations attended the event, which was held at the Teamsters Hall in Des Moines."
Presidential lobbying provides preventive medicine
The Politico | June 6, 2007
Excerpt: Ken Thorpe and Mark McClellan are both health care policy wonks. Thorpe's a Democrat, McClellan's a Republican. Neither is a registered lobbyist. But together they are taking a giant leap into the latest niche in the advocacy industry: lobbying presidential campaigns. Their goal is to change the way candidates -- both Republicans and Democrats -- think and talk about health care reform.
Chronic diseases poised for national attention
American Medical News | June 4, 2007
Susan Landers of American Medical News writes about the May 15 launch of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. She notes, "Among the unhealthy truths noted at the group's May 15 Washington, D.C., debut was the fact that chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and cancer are the primary cause of death and disability in the U.S. Chronic diseases are responsible for seven out of 10 deaths each year, according to the group."
A route to better health care
The Washington Post | June 3, 2007
Excerpt: "Already, many candidates are picking up the message [about the need to focus on prevention]. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was using Thorpe's statistics and analysis on May 24 when she delivered the first of a promised series of speeches outlining her new approach to health-care reform. It emphasizes disease prevention and cost reductions through better case management rather than immediate expansion of coverage. Those are important elements also in the plans that her rivals Barack Obama and John Edwards have announced."
This article also ran in the following outlets: Orlando Sentinel, St. Petersburg Times, Wichita Eagle (KS), The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Houston Chronicle, Kennebec Journal and Sacramento Bee
Editorial: Refocus health care to prevent chronic diseases
Des Moines Register | May 31, 2007
Former Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican who served as governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999 and is now president of Des Moines University, and Sarah Swisher, a registered nurse and director of Iowa for Health Care, a project of Service Employees International Union, write about the crisis of chronic disease and the need for lawmakers and candidates to address the issue of prevention. Gov. Branstad and Ms. Swisher serve as co-chairs of the Iowa chapter of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.
Coalition Wants To Put Chronic Disease On Public Radar (Subscription only)
Inside CMS | May 31, 2007
Excerpt: "A highly diverse group of health policy experts, businesses and organizations this month announced the creation of a new coalition that aims to promote awareness of the country's high rate of chronic disease and ultimately make it a top health care issue in the upcoming presidential election."
Editorial: "Politics and Chronic Disease"
The State | May 23, 2007
Timothy Ervolina, president of the United Way Association of South Carolina, writes of chronic disease and the need for preventive medicine, "It's not unreasonable to demand that candidates who wish to be seriously considered as presidential contenders present a platform that focuses on preventing chronic diseases. Most chronic diseases stem from our daily behaviors and habits. Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way."
Team effort needed to fix health care
Columbus Dispatch | May 20, 2007
James Ruvulo, former Ohio Democratic Party chairman and well-known political consultant, has been traipsing through New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Ohio. Why? He's helping with the grassroots campaign of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, a bi-partisan coalition that is trying to increase the preventive-care and wellness focus, especially in government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, that keep people from getting so sick in the first place.
Daily Health Policy Report
Kaiser Network | May 18, 2007
At the May 16 launch of the PFCD, Executive Director Ken Thorpe, a former deputy assistant secretary of HHS during the Clinton administration and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and former CMS Administrator Mark McClellan presented six "unhealthy truths" about the increasing rate of chronic disease in the U.S. Thorpe said, "Our goal is really to restructure and reframe the debate about health care reform."
Coalition Pushes Candidates to Address Chronic Diseases
Associated Press | May 17, 2007
At a news conference Thursday for the local New Hampshire chapter of the PFCD, members noted that not only do chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer account for seven out of 10 deaths in the United States, but they also are the primary driver of health care costs.
Group Aims to Make Chronic Disease Focus of 2008 Campaigns
CQ Healthbeat News | May 16, 2007
The news conference to launch the Partnership To Fight Chronic Disease was held on a basketball court at the National Capital YMCA. Billboard examples of the PFCD's ad campaign were placed throughout the gymnasium, with messages like "Unless they're talking about chronic disease, they're not really talking about health care" and "It takes a candidate with guts to talk about livers, kidneys, hearts, lungs and brains."
Group Forms to Press Chronic-Disease Issues
Modern Healthcare | May 16, 2007
The PFCD, a group including providers, physicians, insurers, unions and political figures from both major parties, will launch chapters in key presidential primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, later expanding to other states with both grass-roots campaigning and educational advertising.
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