Chronic disease program looks for funding

Cindy Hadish

Jun. 13, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- More than 100 area residents have found help coping with chronic diseases such as arthritis through a program offered by Healthy Linn Care Network and The Heritage Agency on Aging.

Supporters are looking for ways to sustain the program to help even more people.

Business leaders and others interested in financially supporting the Chronic Disease Self-Management program have been invited to a "stakeholder breakfast" at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday at Mercy Medical Center.

Project Coordinator Kathy Baragary said the program was one of only three in Iowa to receive $250,000 in funding from the U.S. Administration on Aging.

The program is in the second year of its three-year grant.

Baragary pointed to statistics to demonstrate the importance of such programs, which teach coping skills to those suffering from chronic disease -- keeping down health costs and keeping them out of the hospital.

She noted:

--More than 1.7 million Americans die of a chronic dis ease each year.

--Eighty percent of older adults have at least one chronic condition; 50 percent have at least two.

--Minority populations have a greater prevalence of chronic conditions.

--Ninety-five percent of health care spending for older adults is attributed to chronic conditions. Four chronic diseases -- heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes -- cause almost two-thirds of all deaths each year.

Baragary said this year's budget of $48,000 pays for staff, books and materials, marketing and support. About $24,000 in in-kind support from St. Luke's Hospital and Mercy Medical Center is used for office space, printing, technology support and some personnel.

If the in-kind support continues, Baragary estimated the program could continue at a cost of $40,000 to $45,000 annually.

Directors of the Center for Healthy Aging and Active for Life National Program are speakers at the breakfast. For more information, contact Baragary at (319) 368-5527.

Contact the writer: (319) 398-8428 or cindy.hadish@gazcomm.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0043-25975102