COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline today joined the Ohio Health Advocacy Network (OHAN) in celebrating the designation by Governor Bob Taft of March as “Improving Health for Ohioans Month.” GSK and other health advocacy groups took part in OHAN’s “Ohio Health Day” conference in Columbus.
“Medicines can help to reduce pain, save lives and hold down health care costs if patients take them as directed and follow up with their health care provider,” said Mike Pucci, vice president of external advocacy for GlaxoSmithKline. “However, there is always more that we can do to take better care of our health, and this resolution reminds us that our actions can save money for our families, our employers, Ohio taxpayers and the State.”
The resolution states that Ohio “has a significant opportunity to improve the quality of health for many people by taking a few simple steps to encourage Ohioans to take medicines as directed - especially for chronic conditions.”
The leading causes of death in Ohio are heart disease, stroke and cancer, and mortality rates for these diseases are higher for Ohio than for the United States. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that chronic diseases - such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes - are among the most prevalent, costly, and preventable of all health problems.(1)
Chronic conditions contribute overwhelmingly to the increasing cost of health care in the United States, which hurts families and employers. While patients and insurance companies experience higher costs for hospitalizations and medical tests, chronic diseases also exact a cost on employers. For example, lost U.S. productivity from death and disability due to heart disease was estimated to be $152 billion last year,(2) and similar costs due to diabetes were estimated to be $40 billion in 2002.(3)
The American Heart Association reports that the greatest problem in treating illness is the failure of patients to take prescription medicines correctly, with more than half of all Americans with chronic diseases not following their physician’s medication and lifestyle guidance.(4)
“GSK is delighted to join with the Governor and leading health groups to bring attention to the condition of health in Ohio, and to work in collaboration towards the goal of better health for all Ohioans,” Pucci said. “Healthy lifestyles are the name of the game. Many of the chronic conditions that affect Ohioans can be controlled and prevented, and by taking a few steps to improve overall health - such as going for a walk, taking prescription medicines, and even eating less red meat - Ohioans can see a positive effect on their lives.”
GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
The Ohio Health Advocacy Network (OHAN) is a coalition of voluntary and non-profit behavioral and physical health organizations, businesses, and individuals working together on health care issues since 1993. A recognized leader in educating, alerting and motivating Ohioans, OHAN also monitors policy issues affecting access to quality health care.
OHAN’s annual program is Ohio Health Day. Designed to provide a general overview of various health issues, Ohio Health Day is also a forum where individuals can learn how to become successful advocates for their legislative issues.
(1)
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/ChronicDisease/ohio.htm
(2) http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/Prevention/cvh.htm
(3) http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/ddt.htm
(4) http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=107
GlaxoSmithKline
CONTACT: Inquiries: Patty Seif, Media Relations, GlaxoSmithKline,+1-215-751-7709, or Cell: +1-215-287-8369
Web site: http://www.gsk.com/
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