In May 2007, Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI) and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) formed a partnership based on mutual interest in raising awareness of policies and practices that save lives through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease. CRI president Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, serves as the national chairperson of the PFCD and is active in bringing the issue of chronic disease to the forefront of the national dialogue on health care.
PFCD was formed as a national coalition of patients, providers, and community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs in the United States: rising rates of preventable and treatable chronic diseases.
PFCD believes that rising rates of chronic health problems pose a significant and unsustainable burden on the U.S. health care system, and that the viability and strength of the system presently and in the future relies on a willingness to enact policies that help Americans better prevent and manage chronic illnesses.
The PFCD mission is to:
- Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals and communities;
- Mobilize Americans to call for change in how governments, employers, and health institutions approach chronic disease; and
- Challenge policymakers on the health policy changes that are necessary to effectively fight chronic disease.
To fulfill its objectives, the PFCD offers consumers and policymakers best-in-class information and tools on effective disease prevention and management. In addition, the PFCD is bringing its expertise to key communities across the country where partners will lead events and forums, localized research efforts on chronic disease, health screenings, consumer education activities, and briefings with policymakers.
PFCD works to increase access to high-quality health care, including preventive care; promote health and wellness; help reduce health disparities; eliminate bureaucracy in the health system; and enhance health information and encourage innovation.
In September 2007, PFCD announced its “Ideas for Change” policy platform, which outlines the need for improvement in chronic disease prevention, detection, and management, and provides recommendations for how to address this devastating epidemic. The PFCD's platform was developed with the input from more than 90 diverse partner organizations, including CRI.
In 2008, PFCD united more non-traditional allies under an action-oriented platform for change. PFCD has brought together more than 200 national groups and state coalitions to support disease prevention reforms with proven success. Through the activities of all of its partners on the national and state levels, PFCD accomplished three main successes in 2008.
1) Made chronic disease a part of the presidential debate on health care
Before the 2008 election, the words “chronic disease” had not been spoken in an American presidential campaign debate; nor had candidates’ plans and statements so prominently featured the issue. PFCD changed that by reaching out to all the major candidates and helping them to understand what is at stake. Many candidates cited PFCD’s facts and figures. Then-candidate Barack Obama even recognized PFCD by name.
2) Drawn policymaker attention to the chronic disease crisis
Support for policy change in disease prevention and management has grown significantly over the past two years in Congress. The PFCD held a number of briefings with legislative staff. Representatives of PFCD also met with staff on key committees including the Senate Finance Committee; Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; House Ways and Means Committee; and House Energy and Commerce Committees.
3) Brought media attention to the chronic disease crisis
PFCD has helped members of the media understand the severity of this issue and its influence on health care costs. Through the PFCD’s work, questions about the issue were asked in the Presidential debates, including the CNN/You Tube debate. PFCD was noted in more than 500 articles in notable outlets such as ABCNews, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, Reader’s Digest, Politico, and Congressional Quarterly.
PFCD also published two key resources in the battle against chronic disease: the annual Almanac of Chronic Disease (2008 and 2009 editions) and Keeping America Healthy: Essential Elements of Successful Programs.
In 2008, CRI and PFCD led and participated in numerous activities, including the local, state, national, and international forums mentioned below and many more. Please see the CRI Events webpage for more information about PFCD events.
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April 08, 2008 – Washington, D.C. CRI President Dr. Richard Carmona, Senator Edward Kennedy, and AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan Discuss Chronic Disease at Policy Briefing |
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May 29, 2008 – Columbus, OH CRI President Dr. Richard Carmona Discusses Chronic Disease Prevention and Management at Statewide Community Forum in Ohio |
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September 24 – 26, 2008 – Tokyo, Japan CRI and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease Meet with Japanese Leaders About the Importance of Chronic Disease Prevention |
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October 24, 2008 – Manchester and Keene, NH CRI President Dr. Richard Carmona Visits New Hampshire to Raise Awareness of Promising Practices to Prevent Chronic Disease |
Next steps: CRI will continue working with the PFCD as a partner and with Dr. Carmona as National Chairperson to offer a united voice on important health care issues and work to bring its expertise to communities throughout the United States, where partners will lead events and health screenings, localized research efforts on chronic disease, consumer education activities, and briefings with policymakers.
Partnership Resources:
Click here to visit the PFCD website.
2009
- Click here to read “A Year in Review,” a summary of the PFCD’s key accomplishments in 2009.
- Click here to view: CRI and PFCD Meet with Chinese Leaders and Citizens About the Importance of Chronic Disease Prevention.
- Click here to view: CRI President Dr. Richard Carmona Delivers Keynote, Addresses Health Disparities and Chronic Disease at A. Philip Randolph Institute National Education Conference.
- Click here to read the press release about Dr. Richard Carmona, national chairperson of PFCD, speaking on health reform at the A. Philip Randolph Institute National Education Conference.
- Click here to read the 2009 Almanac of Chronic Disease, a comprehensive guide on rising rates of chronic disease, and how they are impacting our nation's health and economy.
- Click Here to view: CRI Hosts Keynote Presentation at the 2009 Integrated Care Summit.
- Click here to read the press release announcing the Principles for Meaningful Health Reform.
- Click here to view the Principles for Meaningful Health Reform document.
2008
- Click here to read the "Keeping America Healthy" report and supporting resources, which outline the effects of chronic disease and the innovative programs underway to support effective change.
- Click here to read the 2008 “Almanac of Chronic Disease,” a comprehensive overview of the tremendous burden chronic illnesses impose on health and health care in the U.S.
- Click here to read “A Year in Review,” a summary of the PFCD's accomplishments during its first year of collaboration.
2007
- Click here to read the “Ideas for Change” policy platform overview.
- Click here to read the full report: “Ideas for Change” policy platform.
- Click here to view: An Unexpected Warning From Dr. Carmona to a Teen Smoker
