Pennsylvania to receive $1 million funding to reduce chronic disease in older citizens
April 16th, 2010 - 11:10 pm ICT by BNO NewsHARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA (BNO NEWS) – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) awarded a $1 million funding to Pennsylvania to prevent and manage chronic disease in older citizens, Governor Edward Rendell announced on Friday.
“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.
The “Help Yourself to Health” chronic disease self-management program will use the funding to prevent and manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis for nearly 3,000 older citizens. The goal of the program is to prevent hospitalizations and long-term institutional care.
“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 Department of Aging estimates that nearly all Pennsylvanians suffer a chronic disease and 78 percent of all health care costs can be traced with 20 percent of patients with chronic diseases.
The program 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 award is part of a $27 million commitment announced by the U. S. Department of Health for 45 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Programs for seniors will focus on proper nutrition, increased levels of physical activity, quitting smoking and understanding the serious health consequences of obesity.
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