Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that $1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been awarded to Pennsylvania to prevent and manage chronic disease in older citizens.
"This initiative will build on the success of Prescription for PA, which has redesigned the way healthcare is delivered to individuals with chronic conditions," said Governor Rendell. "We are bracing for a huge increase in our older population in the coming years and this program will help older adults learn how to take better care of themselves, prevent serious illness and manage debilitating conditions. Better health means more people living independently and reduced costs to taxpayers."
The "Help Yourself to Health" chronic disease self-management program includes four local Area Agencies on Aging working in partnership with the state Department of Aging. They will help nearly 3,000 older citizens prevent and manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis, with the goal of preventing hospitalizations and long-term institutional care. The agencies are the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, the Berks County Area Agency on Aging and the Cambria County Area Agency on Aging.
Estimates indicate that nearly half of all Pennsylvanians have a chronic disease and 78 percent of all health care costs can be traced to 20 percent of patients with chronic diseases.
"Paying for medical care for older Pennsylvanians with chronic conditions now and in the future will severely challenge the state's ability to take care of its citizens," said Secretary of Aging John Michael Hall. "This grant will be very helpful in assisting older people to take personal responsibility for making lifestyle changes that promote good health."
The grant is part of a $27 million commitment announced by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services for 45 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Programs for seniors will focus on proper nutrition, increased levels of physical activity, smoking cessation and understanding the serious health consequences of obesity. This initiative will implement the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and will be overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Department of Health.
"We know well the daily and long-term challenges chronic diseases present to our citizens," said Secretary of Health Everette James. "Diabetes, alone, is the seventh leading cause of death in Pennsylvania. This funding will provide our older citizens with information and programs to help manage these chronic conditions."
This initiative will work in tandem with Prescription for PA, which has improved the delivery of health care to individuals with chronic conditions by providing early healthcare intervention, using community resources and improving the quality of caregivers. The project staff will work with learning collaboratives whose doctors, nurses and administrative staff will refer individuals to the program. The Rendell administration's goal is to see a shift in chronic disease, which now accounts for 76 percent of all physician visits and 91 percent of filled prescriptions.
Pennsylvania is dedicated to advancing the good health of its older residents. Through Department of Aging programs like Healthy Steps and exercise and nutrition programs at senior centers, there are many opportunities for education and activities that promote lifelong healthy living. Department of Health programs, such as the Pennsylvania Cancer Education Network and tobacco cessation programs, also assist older people in engaging in healthy lifestyles.
www.aging.state.pa.us. The Department of Health is online at www.health.state.pa.us
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