American Medical Association: Launches Improving Health Outcomes Initiative

To bolster ongoing efforts to address the leading causes of suffering and death in our nation and to engage the physician community in improving national health outcomes, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced the first phase of its new multi-year, multi-million dollar improving health outcomes (IHO) initiative: preventing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and improving health outcomes for those with these conditions.  “Cardiovascular disease accounts for one-third of all deaths in our nation, and one-in-three adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue,” said AMA President Jeremy Lazarus, M.D. “The toll of these diseases on our nation is staggering – in terms of human suffering and health care costs. T he direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is more than $535 billion a year.”  The AMA’s efforts will include working closely with ongoing national programs, galvanizing America’s physicians and patients to focus on preventing and controlling cardiovascular disease and diabetes and teaming with new partners to address high blood pressure and prediabetes.  “When America’s physicians work together with patients, communities and other members of the health care team we can have a tremendous impact on health outcomes,” said Dr. Lazarus at the National Summit on Health Disparities hosted by the National Minority Quality Forum.  “We will begin our new initiative with a focus on risk fa...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Source Type: blogs