Download FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DR. RICHARD H. CARMONA VISITS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DR. RICHARD H. CARMONA VISITS NEW HAMPSHIRE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF
PROMISING PRACTICES TO PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17th U.S. Surgeon General Speaks on Behalf of PFCD on Guide to Successful Programs
MANCHESTER, N.H., Oct. 28, 2008—The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD), a
national coalition committed to raising awareness of chronic disease as the number-one cause of
death, disability, and rising health care costs in the United States, welcomed Dr. Richard H.
Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General (2002-2006), president of Canyon Ranch Institute, and
PFCD National Chairperson, to the Granite State. On behalf of PFCD’s mission to fight chronic
disease, Dr. Carmona spoke before Manchester city executive and public health officials,
legislators, and PFCD partners, to encourage successful wellness programs. Mayor Guinta also
announced the “Passport of Cardiovascular Health Challenge” for the City of Manchester; a
program that focuses on getting Manchester citizens more heart health conscious and on taking
steps to improve the overall wellness of the community.
Many New Hampshire leaders joined Dr. Carmona and Mayor Guinta to strengthen local
efforts in educating communities about the value of prevention of chronic disease and encourage
others to learn from the promising practices already demonstrating positive public health results
across the nation. These speakers included: Tim Soucy, Director of Manchester Department of
Health, and representatives from Elliot Hospital, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and
Catholic Medical Center. The speakers highlighted local health and wellness programs and added
insight to Dr. Carmona’s discussion on the Keeping America Healthy: A Guide to Successful
Programs resource.
“Chronic diseases, such as asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, are
responsible for seven out of 10 deaths in the United States. At the same time, 75 cents of every
health care dollar spent in the United States goes toward treating chronic diseases. We must move
from a sick-care system to health care solutions that save lives and reduce health care costs,” Dr.
Carmona stated. “Proven approaches such as those in the Guide to Successful Programs and
Manchester’s Passport of Cardiovascular Health Challenge support the fact that we can constantly
improve how we work together across all sectors of society to improve health and health care and
lift this crushing burden of chronic disease from the shoulders of our families, our communities,
and our nation.”
“I am pleased to announce the health awareness programs of the Manchester
community,” explained Mayor Frank Guinta, “We have realized the chronic health needs of our
community and are taking steps to educate and promote prevention to our citizens. We look
forward to working with PFCD, The Manchester Department of Health, and other various
programs in making Manchester a healthier region.”
About the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is a national bipartisan coalition of
patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy
experts committed to raising awareness of the #1 cause of death, disability, and rising health care
costs in the U.S.: chronic disease.
The PFCD’s mission is to:
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Challenge policymakers – in particular, the 2008 presidential candidates – to make
the issue of chronic disease a top priority and articulate how they will address the
issue through their health care proposals
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Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals,
communities, and the nation
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Mobilize Americans to call for change in how policymakers, governments,
employers, health institutions, and other entities approach chronic disease
New Hampshire PFCD Partners include: Advanced Laser Therapy, AIDS Services for the
Monadnock Region, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America / New England Chapter, Brain
Injury Association of New Hampshire, Chronic Conditions Information Network of Vermont and
New Hampshire, City of Manchester Health Department, Council for Children and Adolescents
with Chronic Health Conditions, Greater Concord YMCA, Greater Keene YMCA, Greater
Manchester YMCA, Greater Nashua YMCA, Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce,
National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire, New England Clinicians Forum, New
Hampshire Action for Healthy Kids, New Hampshire Advocates for Healthy Youth, New
Hampshire Arthritis Foundation, New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance, New Hampshire Catholic Charities, New Hampshire Council on
Developmental Disabilities, New Hampshire for Health Care, New Hampshire Independent
Pharmacists Association, New Hampshire Kidney Foundation, New Hampshire Pharmacists
Association, New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Association, New Hampshire Retired
Educators Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Retired Chapter
of the State Employees Association, and SEIU Local 1984.
For more information about PFCD, please visit: www.fightchronicdisease.org. For more
information about PFCD’s Keeping America Healthy: A Guide to Successful Programs, please
visit http://promisingpractices.fightchronicdisease.org
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Contact Information
Jamila Taylor
Calypso Communications
[email protected]
603-431-0816